Lens moving apparatus

ABSTRACT

An embodiment includes a bobbin provided at an outer circumferential surface thereof with a first coil, a first position sensor disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin and spaced apart from the first coil, a first magnet disposed so as to be opposite to the first position sensor, a second magnet disposed so as to be opposite to the first coil, the second magnet being configured to move the bobbin in a direction parallel to an optical axis via electromagnetic interaction with the first coil, a housing configured to support the first magnet and the second magnet; and upper and lower elastic members coupled to the bobbin and the housing, wherein the first position sensor is moved along with the bobbin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/709,130, filed Dec. 10, 2019; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/410,610, filed May 13, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No.10,545,353, issued Jan. 28, 2020; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/960,156, filed Apr. 23, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.10,338,404, issued Jul. 2, 2019; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/971,365, filed Dec. 16, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.9,977,255, issued May 22, 2018; which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Application Nos. 10-2014-0182495, filed on Dec. 17, 2014;10-2014-0182496, filed on Dec. 17, 2014; and 10-2014-0188408, filed onDec. 24, 2014; the disclosures of each of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to a lens moving apparatus.

BACKGROUND

It has been difficult to apply Voice Coil Motor (VCM) technology, usedin conventional camera modules, to subminiature camera modules, whichaim to realize low power consumption, and thus study related thereto hasactively been conducted.

In the case of a camera module mounted in a small electronic productsuch as a smart phone, the camera module may frequently receive shocksduring use, and may be shaken minutely due to, for example, the user'shandshake. In consideration of this, development of technology in whicha handshake prevention device is additionally provided to the cameramodule has recently been required.

Various types of handshake prevention devices have been studied. One ofthem is technology in which an optical module is moved in the X-axis andthe Y-axis, which define a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, soas to compensate for handshake. In the case of this technology, thehandshake prevention device suffers from a complicated configuration andis not suitable for miniaturization since the optical system is movedand adjusted in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

In addition, there is the requirement for accurate and rapid focusing ofthe optical module.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus, which may inhibitmalfunction or errors of a position sensor caused by the magnetic fieldof a first coil, which may realize miniaturization and low cost, andwhich may ensure ease assembly and improved fixing ability of a bobbinand a sensor board.

In one embodiment, a lens moving apparatus includes a bobbin provided atan outer circumferential surface thereof with a first coil, a firstposition sensor disposed on the outer circumferential surface of thebobbin and spaced apart from the first coil, a first magnet disposed soas to be opposite to the first position sensor, a second magnet disposedso as to be opposite to the first coil, the second magnet beingconfigured to move the bobbin in a direction parallel to an optical axisvia electromagnetic interaction with the first coil, a housingconfigured to support the first magnet and the second magnet, and upperand lower elastic members coupled to the bobbin and the housing, whereinthe first position sensor is moved along with the bobbin.

The first position sensor may overlap at least a portion of the firstmagnet in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

The first position sensor may do not overlap the second magnet in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

The first coil may be located at the lower side of the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin, and the first position sensor maybe located at the upper side of the outer circumferential surface of thebobbin.

The first magnet may overlap the second magnet in the direction parallelto the optical axis.

The first magnet may do not overlap the second magnet in the directionparallel to the optical axis.

The first magnet may do not overlap the second magnet in a direction inwhich the first position sensor and the first magnet face each other.

The first position sensor may be electrically connected to at least oneof the upper elastic member and the lower elastic member.

The lens moving apparatus may further include a second coil disposed soas to be opposite to the second magnet, a circuit board, on which thesecond coil is disposed, a base disposed below the circuit board, aplurality of support members configured to support the housing such thatthe housing is movable relative to the base in a direction perpendicularto the optical axis, the support members also being configured toconnect at least one of the upper and lower elastic members to thecircuit board, and a second position sensor configured to sensedisplacement of the housing relative to the base in the directionperpendicular to the optical axis.

The first position sensor may sense displacement of the bobbin based ona result of sensing a strength of a magnetic field of the first magnet.

In another embodiment, a lens moving apparatus includes a bobbinprovided at an outer circumferential surface thereof with a first coil,a sensor board disposed on the outer circumferential surface of thebobbin and spaced apart from the first coil, a first position sensordisposed on the sensor board, a first magnet disposed so as to beopposite to the first position sensor, a second magnet disposed so as tobe opposite to the first coil, the second magnet being configured tomove the bobbin in a direction parallel to an optical axis viaelectromagnetic interaction with the first coil, a housing configured tosupport the first magnet and the second magnet, and upper and lowerelastic members coupled to the bobbin and the housing, wherein the firstposition sensor is moved along with the bobbin.

The sensor board may have a mounting recess formed in an outercircumferential surface thereof, and the first position sensor may belocated in the mounting recess.

The sensor board may be electrically connected to at least one of theupper elastic member or the lower elastic member.

The sensor board may include a body disposed on the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin, the first position sensor beingdisposed on the body, elastic member contact portions configured toprotrude from the body and electrically connected to at least one of theupper elastic member and the lower elastic member, and a circuit patternformed in the body and electrically connected to the first positionsensor and the elastic member contact portions.

The bobbin may have a support groove provided between an innercircumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface thereofsuch that the sensor board is inserted into the support groove.

The bobbin may have a receiving recess formed in the outercircumferential surface such that the first position sensor disposed onthe sensor board is inserted into the support groove.

The housing may include first side portions on which the second magnetis disposed, and second side portions located between the first sideportions, the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin may includefirst side surfaces corresponding to the first side portions of thehousing and second side surfaces located between the first sidesurfaces, the first magnet may be disposed on any one of the first sideportions of the housing, and the first position sensor may be disposedon one of the first side surfaces of the bobbin corresponding to thefirst side portion of the housing on which the first magnet is disposed.

Alternatively, the first magnet may be disposed on any one of the secondside portions of the housing, and the first position sensor may bedisposed on one of the second side surfaces of the bobbin correspondingto the second side portion of the housing on which the first magnet isdisposed.

In a further embodiment, a lens moving apparatus includes a bobbinconfigured to mount a lens, and a sensor coupling member located so asto surround at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface ofthe bobbin, the sensor coupling member being provided with a sensor,wherein the sensor coupling member includes one or more corners formedby bending.

The sensor coupling member may include a main coupling portionconfigured to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferentialsurface of the bobbin in a horizontal direction, and a sensor gripportion configured to extend downward from the main coupling portion,the sensor being located at the sensor grip portion, the main couplingportion may have a shape forming at least a portion of a polygon havinga plurality of edges when viewed from the top, and the sensor gripportion may extend downward from a center of any one of the edges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with referenceto the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a lens movingapparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens moving apparatusillustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the lens movingapparatus after removal of a cover member for comparison with FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a bobbin, a first coil, secondmagnets, a first position sensor, and a sensor board illustrated in FIG.2 ;

FIG. 5A is a plan view of the bobbin and the magnets illustrated in FIG.4 ;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of thesensor board illustrated in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 5C is a rear perspective view of the first position sensor and thesensor board illustrated in FIG. 4 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan perspective view of a housing illustrated in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 7 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the housing, the firstmagnet, and the second magnets illustrated in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ illustrated in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 9 is a plan perspective view illustrating the coupled state of thebobbin, the housing, an upper elastic member, the first position sensor,the sensor board, and a plurality of support members illustrated in FIG.2 ;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the coupled state ofthe bobbin, the housing, a lower elastic member, and the support membersillustrated in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the upper elasticmember, the lower elastic member, the first position sensor, the sensorboard, a base, the support members, and a circuit board illustrated inFIG. 2 ;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the base, second coils, andthe circuit board illustrated in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 13A is a view illustrating one embodiment of the arrangementrelationship between the first coil, the first position sensor, thefirst magnet, and the second magnet of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 13B is a view illustrating another embodiment of the arrangementrelationship between the first coil, the first position sensor, thefirst magnet, and the second magnet of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating an error of an AF position sensor in thevicinity of an AF coil;

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating the arrangement of the first positionsensor and the first magnet illustrated in FIG. 2 according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a seating recess of the housing formounting the first magnet illustrated in FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 3 illustratingthe embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16 ;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a lens movingapparatus according to another embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the lens movingapparatus after removal of a cover member for comparison with FIG. 18 ;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are perspective views illustrating a bobbin of FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating a housing of FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 23 is an assembled perspective view illustrating an upper elasticmember, second magnets, and the bobbin of FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 24 is an assembled perspective view illustrating a lower elasticmember and the bobbin of FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a base, a second circuitboard, and a second coil illustrated in FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the lens moving apparatus illustrated in FIG.18 ;

FIGS. 27 and 28 are views illustrating the arrangement of the secondposition sensor of FIG. 18 according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating the arrangement of the second positionsensor of FIG. 18 according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a view illustrating the arrangement of the second positionsensor of FIG. 18 according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a view illustrating the arrangement of second magnets, and asecond position sensor of a lens moving apparatus according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view illustrating a camera module according to anembodiment;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a bobbin and a sensorcoupling member illustrated in FIG. 32 ; and

FIG. 34 is a perspective view illustrating a sensor coupling memberaccording to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be clearly revealed via descriptionthereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription of the embodiments, it will be understood that, when anelement such as a layer (film), region, pattern, or structure isreferred to as being “on” or “under” another element, it can be“directly” on or under another element or can be “indirectly” formedsuch that an intervening element may also be present. In addition, itwill also be understood that criteria of on or under is on the basis ofthe drawing.

In the drawings, dimensions of layers are exaggerated, omitted orschematically illustrated for clarity and description convenience. Inaddition, dimensions of constituent elements do not entirely reflectactual dimensions. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will beused throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.Hereinafter, a lighting apparatus according to embodiments will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a lens moving apparatus according to an embodiment will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. For theconvenience of description, although the lens moving apparatus will bedescribed using a rectangular coordinate system (x, y, z), the lensmoving apparatus may be described using other coordinate systems, andthe embodiment is not limited thereto. In the respective drawings, theX-axis and the Y-axis mean directions perpendicular to an optical axis,i.e. the Z-axis, and the optical axis (Z-axis) direction may be referredto as a “first direction”, the X-axis direction may be referred to as a“second direction”, and the Y-axis direction may be referred to as a“third direction”.

A “handshake compensation device”, for example, Optical ImageStabilization (OIS) device, which is applied to a subminiature cameramodule of a mobile device such as, for example, a smart phone or atablet PC, may be a device that is configured to inhibit the contourline of a captured image from not being clearly formed due to vibrationcaused by the user's handshake when capturing a still image.

In addition, an “auto-focusing device” is a device that automaticallyfocuses an image of a subject on an image sensor surface. The handshakecompensation device and the auto-focusing device may be configured invarious ways, and the lens moving apparatus according to the embodimentmay move an optical module, which is constituted of at least one lens,in the first direction parallel to the optical axis, or relative to aplane defined by the second and third directions, which areperpendicular to the first direction, thereby performing handshakecompensation motion and/or auto-focusing motion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the lens movingapparatus 100 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explodedperspective view of the lens moving apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lens moving apparatus 100 may include acover member 300, an upper elastic member 150, a sensor board 180, afirst position sensor 170, a first coil 120, a bobbin 110, a housing140, a first magnet 190, at least one second magnet (130, for example,second magnets 130-1 to 130-4), and a lower elastic member 160.

In addition, the lens moving apparatus 100 may further include aplurality of support members 220, at least one second coil (230, for,example, second coils), a circuit board 250, second position sensors240, and a base 210.

The bobbin 110, the first coil 120, the at least one second magnet 130,the housing 140, the upper elastic member 150, and the lower elasticmember 160 may constitute a first lens moving unit. In addition, thefirst lens moving unit may further include a first position sensor 170.The first lens moving unit may be used in auto-focusing.

In addition, the at least one second coil 230, the circuit board 250,the base 210, and the support members 220 may constitute a second lensmoving unit. In addition, the second lens moving unit may furtherinclude the second position sensors 240. The second lens moving unit maybe used in handshake compensation.

First, the cover member 300 will be described.

The cover member 300 defines a receiving space along with the base 210,such that the upper elastic member 150, the bobbin 110, the first coil120, the housing 140, the first position sensor 170, the first magnet190, the at least one second magnet 130, the lower elastic member 160,the support members 220, the at least one second coil 230, and theprinted circuit board 250 are received in the receiving space.

The cover member 300 may take the form of a box, which has an openbottom and includes an upper end portion and sidewalls. The bottom ofthe cover member 300 may be coupled to the top of the base 210. Theupper end portion of the cover member 300 may have a polygonal shapesuch as, for example, a rectangular or octagonal shape.

The cover member 300 may have an opening formed in the upper end portionthereof to allow a lens (not illustrated) coupled to the bobbin 110 tobe exposed to outside light. In addition, the opening of the covermember 300 may be provided with a window formed of a light transmittingmaterial, in order to inhibit impurities, such as, for example, dust ormoisture, from entering the camera module.

Although the material of the cover member 300 may be a non-magneticmaterial such as, for example, SUS in order to inhibit the cover member300 from being attracted by the at least one second magnet 130, thecover member 300 may be formed of a magnetic material so as to functionas a yoke.

FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the lens movingapparatus 100 after removal of the cover member 300 for comparison withFIG. 1 , and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the bobbin 110,the first coil 120, the second magnets 130-1 to 130-4, the firstposition sensor 170, and the sensor board 180 illustrated in FIG. 2 .

Next, the bobbin 110 will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the bobbin 110 is placed inside the housing140, which will be described below, and is movable in the optical axisdirection, or in the first direction parallel to the optical axis, forexample, the Z-axis via electromagnetic interaction between the firstcoil 120 and the at least one second magnet 130.

Although not illustrated, the bobbin 110 may include a lens barrel (notillustrated) in which at least one lens is installed. The lens barrelmay be coupled inside the bobbin 110 in various manners.

The bobbin 110 may be configured to have a bore for the mounting of alens or the lens barrel. The bore may have a circular, elliptical, orpolygonal shape, without being limited thereto.

The bobbin 110 may include first and second protrusions 111 and 112.

Each first protrusion 111 of the bobbin 110 may include a guide portion111 a and a first stopper 111 b.

The guide portion 111 a of the bobbin 110 may serve to guide aninstallation position of the upper elastic member 150. For example, asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3 , the guide portion 111 a of thebobbin 110 may guide a path, along which a first frame connectionportion 153 of the upper elastic member 150 passes.

For example, a plurality of guide portions 111 a may be formed so as toprotrude in the second and third directions, which are perpendicular tothe first direction. In addition, the guide portions 111 a may beprovided symmetrical to each other relative to the center of the bobbin110 in a plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis as exemplarilyillustrated, or may be provided asymmetrical to each other so as not tointerfere with other elements unlike the illustration.

The second protrusions 112 of the bobbin 110 may be formed so as toprotrude in the second and third directions, which are perpendicular tothe first direction. In addition, each second protrusion 112 of thebobbin 110 may have an upper surface 112 a shaped to allow a first innerframe 151 of the upper elastic member 150, which will be describedbelow, to be seated thereon.

The first stoppers 111 b of the first protrusions 111 and the secondprotrusions 112 of the bobbin 110 may serve to inhibit the bottomsurface of the body of the bobbin 110 from directly colliding with thebase 210 and an upper surface of the circuit board 250 even if thebobbin 110 is moved beyond a prescribed range by, for example, anexternal shock when being moved in the optical axis direction or in thefirst direction parallel to the optical axis for auto-focusing.

To this end, the first stoppers 111 b of the bobbin 110 may far protrudein the second or third direction, which is the circumferentialdirection, from the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 110 thanthe guide portions 111 a of the bobbin 110, and the second protrusions112 of the bobbin 110 may far protrude laterally than the upper surface112 a on which the upper elastic member 150 is seated.

The bobbin 110 may have a support groove 114 provided between an innercircumferential surface 110 a and an outer circumferential surface 110 bof the bobbin 110 so as to enable the sensor board 180 to be inserted inthe first direction (the Z-axis). For example, the support groove 114 ofthe bobbin 110 may be provided between the inner circumferential surface110 a of the bobbin 110 and the first and second protrusions 111 and 112so as to enable the sensor board 180 to be inserted in the firstdirection (the Z-axis).

The bobbin 110 may have a receiving recess 116, which is suitable toreceive the first position sensor 170 disposed, coupled, or mounted onthe sensor board 180.

More specifically, the receiving recess 116 of the bobbin 110 may beprovided in a space between the first and second protrusions 111 and 112of the bobbin 110, so as to allow the first position sensor 170 mountedon the sensor board 180 to be inserted in the first direction.

The bobbin 110 may have support bosses 117 (see FIG. 8 ) formed at alower surface thereof so as to be coupled and fixed to the lower elasticmember 160.

When a state in which lower surfaces of the first and second protrusions111 and 112 of the bobbin 110 come into contact with a bottom surface146 a of a first seating groove 146 of the housing 140 is set to aninitial position, the auto-focusing function may be controlled as in theuni-directional control of a conventional Voice Coil Motor (VCM). Thatis, the auto-focusing function may be implemented such that the bobbin110 is moved up when current is supplied to the first coil 120, and ismoved down when the supply of current is interrupted.

However, when a position at which the lower surfaces of the first andsecond protrusions 111 and 112 of the bobbin 110 are spaced apart fromthe bottom surface 146 a of the first seating groove 146 by a givendistance is set to an initial position, the auto-focusing function maybe controlled according to the direction of current as in bi-directionalcontrol of the conventional voice coil motor. That is, the auto-focusingfunction may be implemented via an operation in which the bobbin 110 ismoved up or down in the direction parallel to the optical axis. Forexample, the bobbin 110 may be moved up when forward current is appliedthereto, and may be moved down when reverse current is applied thereto.

Next, the first coil 120 will be described.

The first coil 120 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface (110b, see FIG. 4 ) of the bobbin 110. The first coil 120 may be disposed soas not to overlap the first position sensor 170 in the directionperpendicular to the optical axis.

For example, in order to ensure that the first coil 120 and the firstposition sensor 170 do not interfere or overlap each other in thedirection perpendicular to the optical axis, the first position sensor170 may be disposed at the upper side or an upper region of the outercircumferential surface 110 b of the bobbin 110, and the first coil 120may be disposed at the lower side, or a lower region of the outercircumferential surface 110 b of the bobbin 110.

The first coil 120, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4 , may be woundso as to surround the outer circumferential surface 110 b of the bobbin110 in the direction in which the first coil 120 rotates about theoptical axis.

The first coil 120 may first be wound around the outer circumferentialsurface of the bobbin 110 by an operator or a machine, and thereafterboth distal ends, the beginning and terminating ends of the first coil120 may be wound around and fixed to a pair of winding bosses (notillustrated) which protrude in the first direction from the lowersurface of the bobbin 110.

At this time, a position of the distal end of the first coil 120 woundaround the winding boss may be changed according to the operator. Forexample, although a pair of winding bosses may be located at symmetricalpositions relative to the center of the bobbin 110, the embodiment isnot limited thereto.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8 , the first coil 120 may beinserted into a coil groove formed in the exterior or the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin 110 so as to be coupled to thebobbin 110.

The first coil 120 may be directly wound around the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin 110, without being limitedthereto. The first coil 120 may be disposed on the outer circumferentialsurface of the bobbin 110 so as to take the form of an angledring-shaped coil block or a coil ring (not illustrated).

Here, the coil ring may be coupled to the bobbin 110 as if the sensorboard 180 is fitted into and fixed to the support groove 114 of thebobbin 110. The first coil 120 may be wound around a coil ring, ratherthan being wound around or disposed on the exterior of the bobbin 110.

The first coil 120 may have an approximately octagonal shape. This shapecorresponds to the shape of the outer circumferential surface of thebobbin 110 because the bobbin 110 has an octagonal shape as exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 5A.

In addition, although at least four surfaces of the first coil 120 mayhave linear shapes, and corner portions connecting the four surfaces mayalso have linear shapes, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and thesurfaces and corner portions of the first coil 120 may form a roundedshape.

The first coil 120 may be disposed such that the linear portions of thefirst coil 120 correspond to the respective second magnets 130-1 to130-4. In addition, a surface of each second magnet 130-1 to 130-4corresponding to the first coil 120 may have the same curvature as thecurvature of the first coil 120.

That is, when the first coil 120 is linear, the surface of the secondmagnet 130 corresponding to the first coil 120 may be linear. When thefirst coil 120 is curvilinear, the surface of the second magnet 130corresponding to the first coil 120 may be curvilinear. In addition,even if the first coil 120 is curvilinear, the corresponding surface ofthe second magnet 130 may be linear, or the opposite case is alsopossible.

The first coil 120 may produce electromagnetic force via interactionwith the second magnet 130 when current is supplied thereto. The bobbin110 may be moved in the optical axis direction, or in the firstdirection parallel to the optical axis by the produced electromagneticforce.

The first coil 120 may be configured so as to correspond to the secondmagnet 130. In the case where the second magnet 130 is configured as asingle body such that the entire surface thereof facing the first coil120 has the same polarity, the surface of the first coil 120corresponding to the second magnet 130 may also be configured to havethe same polarity.

In the case where the second magnet 130 is divided into two to foursegments in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the surfaceof the first coil 120 facing the second magnet 130 may also be dividedinto a number corresponding to the number of segments into which thesecond magnet 130 is divided.

Next, the first position sensor 170 and the sensor board 180 will bedescribed.

The first position sensor 170 may be disposed, coupled, or mounted onthe bobbin 110, so as to be moved along with the bobbin 110.

When the bobbin 110 is moved in the optical axis direction or in thedirection parallel to the optical axis, the first position sensor 170may be moved along with the bobbin 110. In addition, the first positionsensor 170 may sense the strength of a magnetic field of the firstmagnet 190 depending on the movement of the bobbin 110, and may providea feedback signal or an output signal based on the sensed result.Displacement of the bobbin 110, for example, displacement in the opticalaxis direction or in the first direction parallel to the optical axismay be adjusted using the output signal or the feedback signal of thefirst position sensor 170.

The first position sensor 170 may be electrically connected to thesensor board 180, and may be implemented as a driver including a Hallsensor, or may be implemented as a position detection sensor alone suchas, for example, a Hall sensor.

The first position sensor 170 may be disposed, coupled, or mounted onthe bobbin 110 in various forms, and may receive current in variousmethods depending on the form in which it is disposed, coupled, ormounted.

The first position sensor 170 may be disposed, coupled, or mounted onthe outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 110. The first positionsensor 170 may be disposed, coupled, or mounted on the sensor board 180,and the sensor board 180 may be coupled to the bobbin 110. That is, thefirst position sensor 170 may be indirectly disposed, coupled, ormounted on the bobbin 110 through the sensor board 180.

The first position sensor 170 may be electrically connected to at leastone of the upper elastic member 150 or the lower elastic member 160which will be described below. For example, the first position sensor170 may be electrically connected to the upper elastic member 150.

FIG. 5A is a plan view of the bobbin 110 and the second magnets 130-1 to130-4 illustrated in FIG. 4 , FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustratinganother embodiment of the sensor board 180 illustrated in FIG. 4 , andFIG. 5C is a rear perspective view of the first position sensor 170 andthe sensor board 180 illustrated in FIG. 4 according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5A, the sensor board 180 may be mounted on thebobbin 110, and may be moved along with the bobbin 110 in the opticalaxis direction or in the direction parallel to the optical axis.

For example, the sensor board 180 may be inserted into the supportgroove 114 of the bobbin 110 so as to be coupled to the bobbin 110. Thesensor board 180 is sufficient so long as it is mounted on the bobbin110, and FIG. 4 illustrates a ring shape, without being limited thereto.

The first position sensor 170 may be attached to and supported by afront surface of the sensor board 180 using an adhesive member such as,for example, a double-sided tape or epoxy.

The outer circumferential surface 110 b of the bobbin 110 may includefirst side surfaces S1 and second side surfaces S2.

The first side surfaces S1 of the outer circumferential surface 110 b ofthe bobbin 110 may correspond to first side portions 141 of the housing140 on which the second magnets 130 are disposed respectively. Thesecond side surfaces S2 of the outer circumferential surface 110 b ofthe bobbin 110 may correspond to second side portions 142 of the housing140, and may be located between the first side surfaces S1 so as toconnect the first side surfaces S1 to one another.

The first position sensor 170 may be disposed on any one of the firstside surfaces S1 of the bobbin 110. For example, the receiving recess116 of the bobbin 110 may be provided at any one of the first sidesurfaces S1 of the bobbin 110, and the first position sensor 170 may belocated in the receiving recess 116 of the bobbin 110.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the first position sensor 170 may be disposed,coupled, or mounted on an upper region A1, a middle region A2, or alower region A3 of an outer circumferential surface of the sensor board180 in various forms. At this time, the first position sensor 170 mayreceive current from an external source through a circuit pattern of thesensor board 180.

For example, the first position sensor 170 may be disposed, coupled, ormounted on the upper region A1 of the outer circumferential surface ofthe sensor board 180. This serves to locate the first position sensor170 distant from the first coil 120 so as to restrain the first positionsensor 170 from being affected by a magnetic field of the first coil 120within a high frequency range, thereby inhibiting malfunction and anerror of the first position sensor 170.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5B, the sensor board 180 may have amounting recess 183 formed in the upper region A1 of the outercircumferential surface thereof, and the first position sensor 170 maybe disposed, coupled, or mounted in the mounting recess 183 of thesensor board 180.

In order to ensure efficient introduction of the adhesive member, forexample, epoxy into the mounting recess 183 of the sensor board 180 forthe assembly of the first position sensor 170, the mounting recess 183of the sensor board 180 may be provided with a tapered slope (notillustrated) on at least one surface thereof. In addition, although theadhesive member, for example, epoxy may not be introduced into themounting recess 183 of the sensor board 180, the introduction of epoxymay increase the coupling force or mounting force of the first positionsensor 170.

The sensor board 180 may include a body 182, elastic member contactportions 184-1 to 184-4, and a circuit pattern L1 to L4.

In the case where the support groove 114 of the bobbin 110 has the sameshape as the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 110, the body182 of the sensor board 180, which is inserted into the support groove114 of the bobbin 110, may be shaped so as to be inserted into and fixedto the support groove 114.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5A, although the support groove114 of the bobbin 110 and the body 182 of the sensor board 180 may havea circular plan shape, for example, a circular band or strip shape, theembodiment is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the supportgroove 114 of the bobbin 110 and the body 182 of the sensor board 180may have a polygonal plan shape.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the body 182 of the sensor board 180 may include afirst segment 182 a on which the first position sensor 170 is disposed,coupled, or mounted, and a second segment 182 b extending from the firstsegment 182 b so as to be inserted into the support groove 114 of thebobbin 110.

Although the sensor board 180 may be provided with an opening 181 at aposition opposite to the first segment 182 a so as to be easily insertedinto the support groove 114 of the bobbin 110, the embodiment is notlimited as to the specific shape of the sensor board 180.

In addition, the elastic member contact portions 184-1 to 184-4 of thesensor board 180 may protrude from the body 182 of the sensor board 180in the direction in which they may come into contact with a first innerframe 151, for example, in the optical axis direction or in thedirection parallel to the optical axis.

The elastic member contact portions 184-1 to 184-4 of the sensor board180 are portions to be connected to the first inner frame 151 of theupper elastic member 150 which will be described below.

The circuit pattern L1 to L4 of the sensor board 180 may be formed atthe body 182 of the sensor board 180, and may electrically connect thefirst position sensor 170 to the elastic member contact portions 184-1to 184-4.

For example, the first position sensor 170 may be a Hall sensor, but anyother sensor may be used so long as it can sense the strength of amagnetic field. In the case where the first position sensor 170 isimplemented as a Hall sensor, the Hall sensor 170 may have a pluralityof pins.

For example, the pins may include input pins P11 and P12 and output pinsP21 and P22. Although signals output through the output pins P21 and P22may be voltages, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the signalsmay be current.

The input pins P11 and P12 and the output pins P21 and P22 of the firstposition sensor 170 may be electrically connected to the elastic membercontact portions 184-1 to 184-4 through the circuit pattern L1 to L4respectively.

For example, referring to FIG. 5C, a first line L1 of the circuitpattern may electrically connect the first input pin P11 and the fourthelastic member contact portion 184-4 to each other, a second line L2 ofthe circuit pattern may electrically connect the second input pin P12and the third elastic member contact portion 184-3 to each other, athird line L3 of the circuit pattern may electrically connect the firstoutput pin P21 and the first elastic member contact portion 184-1 toeach other, and a fourth line L4 of the circuit pattern may electricallyconnect the second output pin P22 and the second elastic member contactportion 184-2 to each other.

In the embodiment, the first to fourth lines L1 to L4 may be formed soas to be visible. In another embodiment, the lines L1 to L4 may beformed on the body 182 of the sensor board 180 so as to be invisible.

The first position sensor 170 may be opposite to or aligned with thefirst magnet 190 which is disposed on the housing 140.

For example, at the initial position, at least a portion of the firstposition sensor 170 may overlap the first magnet 190 in the directionperpendicular to the optical axis, and the first position sensor 170 maynot overlap the second magnet 130 in the direction perpendicular to theoptical axis.

For example, at the initial position, the first position sensor 170 maybe disposed such that a virtual horizontal line 172, which passesthrough the center of the first position sensor 170 and is parallel tothe direction perpendicular to the optical axis, is aligned with thecenter of the first magnet 190, without being limited thereto. Here, theinitial position may be an initial position of a movable unit when poweris not applied to the first coil 120, or may be a position at which amovable unit is located as the upper and lower elastic members 150 and160 are deformed only by the weight of the movable unit.

At this time, although the bobbin 110 may be vertically moved in theoptical axis direction or in the direction parallel to the optical axison the basis of a reference point at which the virtual horizontal line172 coincides with the center of the first magnet 190, the embodiment isnot limited thereto.

In another embodiment, at the initial position, the center of the firstposition sensor 170 may be aligned with the center of the first magnet190 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and although atleast the center of the first position sensor 170 may not overlap thesecond magnet 130 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis,the remaining portion excluding the center of the first position sensor170 may overlap the second magnet 130.

In addition, in another embodiment, although at the initial position,the center of the first position sensor 170 may not overlap the centerof the second magnet 130 in the direction perpendicular to the opticalaxis, the remaining portion excluding the center of the second magnet130 may overlap the center of the first position sensor 170.

Next, the housing 140 will be described.

The housing 140 supports the first magnet 190 used for sensing and thesecond magnets 130 used for driving, and receives the bobbin 110 thereinso as to allow the bobbin 110 to be moved in the optical axis directionor in the direction parallel to the optical axis.

The housing 140 may generally have a hollow column shape. For example,the housing 140 may have a polygonal (e.g., a square or octagonal) orcircular bore.

FIG. 6 is a plan perspective view of the housing 140 illustrated in FIG.2 , FIG. 7 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the housing 140, thefirst magnet 190, and the second magnets 130 illustrated in FIG. 2 ,FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ illustrated in FIG. 3 ,FIG. 9 is a plan perspective view illustrating the coupled state of thebobbin 110, the housing 140, the upper elastic member 150, the firstposition sensor 170, the sensor board 180, and the support members 220illustrated in FIG. 2 , FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective viewillustrating the coupled state of the bobbin 110, the housing 140, thelower elastic member 160, and the support members 220 illustrated inFIG. 2 .

The housing 140 may have the first seating groove 146 formed at aposition corresponding to the first and second protrusions 111 and 112of the bobbin 110.

The housing 140 may have a third protrusion 148, which corresponds to aspace having a first width W1 between the first and second protrusions111 and 112.

A surface of the third protrusion 148 of the housing 140, which isopposite to the bobbin 110, may have the same shape as the shape of thesecond side portion S2 of the bobbin 110. At this time, the first widthW1 between the first and second protrusions 111 and 112 of the bobbin110 illustrated in FIG. 4 and a second width W2 of the third protrusion148 of the housing 140 illustrated in FIG. 6 may have a given tolerance.As such, rotation of the third protrusion 148 of the housing 140 betweenthe first and second protrusions 111 and 112 of the bobbin 110 may becontrolled. In this way, even if the bobbin 110 receives force so as tobe rotated about the optical axis, the third protrusion 148 of thehousing 140 may inhibit the rotation of the bobbin 110.

For example, the outer periphery of an upper portion, or an upper edgeof the outer periphery of the housing 140 has a square plan shape,whereas the inner periphery of a lower portion, or an inner edge of theinner periphery may have an octagonal plan shape as exemplarilyillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 . The housing 140 may include a pluralityof side portions. For example, the housing 140 may include four firstside portions 141 and four second side portions 142.

The first side portions 141 of the housing 140 may correspond toportions to which the second magnets 130 are installed. The second sideportions 142 of the housing 140 may be located between the twoneighboring first side portions, and may correspond to portions at whichthe support members 220 are located. The first side portions 141 of thehousing 140 may interconnect the second side portions 142 of the housing140, and may include planes having a constant length.

Each of the first side portions 141 of the housing 140 may have an areaequal to or greater than an area of the corresponding second magnet 130.

The housing 140 may have magnet seating portions 141 a provided at innersurfaces of the first side portions 141 in order to accommodate thefirst magnet 190 and the second magnets 130-1 to 130-4.

Each of the second magnets 130-1 to 130-4 may be inserted, located, orfixed to the magnet seating portion 141 a which is provided at acorresponding one of the first side portions 141 of the housing 140.

The magnet seating portion 141 a of the housing 140 may be configured asa recess corresponding to the size of the second magnet 130, and atleast three surfaces, for example, side surfaces and an upper surface ofthe magnet seating portion 141 a may be provided so as to face thesecond magnet 130.

A bottom surface of the magnet seating portion 141 a of the housing 140,i.e. a surface facing the second coils 230 that will be described below,may be provided with an opening. A bottom surface of the second magnet130 fixed in the magnet seating portion 141 a may face the second coils230.

The second magnet 130 may be secured to the magnet seating portion 141 aof the housing 140 using an adhesive, without being limited thereto, andfor example, an adhesive member such as a double-sided tape may be used.

Alternatively, the magnet seating portion 141 a of the housing 140 maybe configured as a mounting hole which allows a portion of the secondmagnet 130 to be fitted thereinto or to be exposed therefrom, ratherthan being configured as the recess illustrated in FIG. 7 .

The first magnet 190 may be disposed so as to face the first positionsensor 170 which is disposed on the bobbin 110 in the directionperpendicular to the optical axis. For example, the first magnet 190 maybe disposed on any one of the first side portions 141 of the housing140. The first position sensor 170 may be disposed on any one first sidesurface, among the first side surfaces S1 of the bobbin 110, whichcorresponds to the first side portion of the housing 140 on which thefirst magnet 190 is disposed.

For example, the first magnet 190 may be secured to the magnet seatingportion 141 a of the housing 140 so as to be disposed on the secondmagnet 130.

For example, the first magnet 190 may be disposed on any one secondmagnet (e.g. 130-1) among the second magnets 130-1 to 130-4.

The first magnet 190 may come into contact with any one second magnet(e.g. 130-1), without being limited thereto. In another embodiment, thefirst magnet 190 may be spaced apart from the second magnet (e.g.130-1). To this end, the housing 140 may have a separate magnet seatingportion (not illustrated) configured to accommodate the second magnet130 spaced apart from the first magnet 190. That is, a portion of thehousing 140 may be located between the first magnet 190 and the secondmagnet (e.g. 130-1).

The first side portions 141 of the housing 140 may be disposed parallelto a side surface of the cover member 300. In addition, the first sideportions 141 of the housing 140 may be larger than the second sideportions 142. The second side portions 142 of the housing 140 may definepaths for the passage of the support members 220. Each second sideportion 142 of the housing 140 may have a first through-hole 147 formedin the top thereof. The support member 220 may be connected to the upperelastic member 150 through the first through-hole 147.

In addition, in order to inhibit the housing 140 from directly collidingwith the inner side surface of the cover member 300 illustrated in FIG.2 , the housing 140 may be provided at an upper end thereof with secondstoppers 144.

The housing 140 may have at least one upper support boss 143 formed onan upper surface thereof for the coupling of the upper elastic member150.

For example, the upper support boss 143 of the housing 140 may be formedon the upper surface of the housing 140 corresponding to the second sideportions 142 of the housing 140, without being limited thereto. Theupper support boss 143 of the housing 140 may have a semispherical shapeas illustrated, or may have a cylindrical or prism shape, without beinglimited thereto.

The housing 140 may have a lower support boss 145 formed on a lowersurface thereof for the coupling and fixing of the lower elastic member160.

In order to define paths for the passage of the support members 220 andto ensure space to be filled with gel-type silicon, which serves as adamper, the housing 140 may have recesses 142 a formed in the secondside portions 142. That is, the recesses 142 a in the housing 140 may befilled with damping silicon.

The housing 140 may have a plurality of third stoppers 149 protrudingfrom the first side portions 141. The third stoppers 149 serve toinhibit the housing 140 from colliding with the cover member 300 whenthe housing 140 is moved in the second and third directions.

In order to inhibit the lower surface of the housing 140 from collidingwith the base 210 and/or the circuit board 250 which will be describedbelow, the housing 140 may have a fourth stopper (not illustrated)protruding from the lower surface thereof. Through this configuration,the housing 140 may be downwardly spaced apart from the base 210 andupwardly spaced apart from the cover member 300, thereby maintaining aconstant height thereof in the optical axis direction withoutinterference. Accordingly, the housing 140 may perform a shiftingoperation in the second and third directions which are thefront-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction, respectively,in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

Next, the first magnet 190 and the second magnets 130 will be described.

The second magnets 130 may be disposed on the housing 140 so as tocorrespond to the first coil 120. The second magnets 130 may be disposedor received inside the first side portions 141 of the housing 140 so asto be supported by the first side portions 141 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

For example, referring to FIG. 8 , each second magnet 130 may bedisposed on the magnet seating portion 141 a of the housing 140 so as tooverlap the first coil 120 in the direction perpendicular to the opticalaxis.

The first and second magnets 190 and 130 are received inside the firstside portions 141 of the housing 140, without being limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the first and second magnets 190 and 130 may bedisposed outside the first side portions 141 of the housing 140, orinside or outside the second side portions 142 of the housing 140.

In addition, in another embodiment, the first magnet 190 may be receivedinside the first side portion 141 of the housing 140, and the secondmagnets 130 may be received outside the first side portions 141 of thehousing 140. Alternatively, the first and second magnets 190 and 130 maybe received in the opposite manner.

In addition, in another embodiment, the first magnet 190 may be receivedinside or outside the first side portion 141 of the housing 140, and thesecond magnets 130 may be received inside or outside the second sideportions 142 of the housing 140. Alternatively, the first and secondmagnets 190 and 130 may be received in the opposite manner.

The second magnets 130 may have an approximately rectangular shapecorresponding to the first side portions 141 of the housing 140, andfacing surfaces of the first coil 120 and the second magnet 130 may havethe same shape and the same curvature.

The second magnets 130 may be configured as a single body, and thesingle second magnet 130 may be disposed such that a surface thereofthat faces the first coil 120 defines an S-pole 132 and an outer surfacethereof defines an N-pole 134. However, the embodiment is not limitedthereto, and the opposite configuration is possible.

At least two second magnets 130 may be disposed on the housing 140. Inthe embodiment, four second magnets 130 may be disposed. At this time,the second magnets 130 may have an approximately square plan shape asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5A, or may have a triangular or diamondshape.

Although surfaces of the second magnets 130 facing the first coil 120may be flat surfaces, the embodiment is not limited thereto. Thesurfaces of the second magnets 130 facing the first coil 120 may becurved surfaces having a corresponding curvature.

With the configuration described above, a constant distance between thesecond magnets 130 and the first coil 120 may be maintained. In theembodiment, one of the second magnets 130-1 to 130-4 may be disposed oneach of the four first side portions 141 of the housing 140, withoutbeing limited thereto. Based on design, only one of the facing surfacesof the second magnet 130 and the first coil 120 may be a flat surfaceand the other surface may be a curved surface. Alternatively, both thefacing surfaces of the first coil 120 and the second magnet 130 may becurved surfaces. At this time, the facing surfaces of the first coil 120and the second magnet 130 may have the same curvature.

In the case where the second magnets 130 may have a square plan shape asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5A, a pair of second magnets among thesecond magnets 130-1 to 130-4 may be disposed parallel to each other inthe second direction, and the other pair of second magnets may bedisposed parallel to each other in the third direction. This arrangementmay enable the movement control of the housing 140 for handshakecompensation that will be described below.

The first magnet 190 may be disposed on the housing 140 so as to overlapat least a portion of the first position sensor 170 in the seconddirection perpendicular to the optical axis at the initial position. Forexample, the first magnet 190, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 7 ,may be received, along with the second magnet (e.g. 130-1) inside thefirst side portion 141 of the housing 140 so as to be supported by thefirst side portion 141.

FIG. 13A is a view illustrating one embodiment of an arrangementrelationship between the first coil 120, the first position sensor 170,a first magnet 190 a, and the second magnet 130 of FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 13A, the first coil 120 may be disposed at the lowerside or a lower region of the outer circumferential surface 110 b of thebobbin 110, and the first position sensor 170 may be disposed at theupper side or an upper region of the outer circumferential surface 110 bof the bobbin 110 so as to be spaced apart from the first coil 120.

The second magnet 130 is mounted to the housing 140 so as to face thefirst coil 120 at the initial position. That is, the second magnet 130may be disposed so as to overlap the first coil 120 in the directionperpendicular to the optical axis at the initial position.

The second magnet 130 may be a unipolar magnet, the inner side and theouter side of which have different polarities.

Referring to FIG. 13A, the second magnet 130 may be disposed such thatthe boundary B1 between an S-pole and an N-pole is parallel to thedirection perpendicular to the direction in which the second magnet 130and the first coil 120 face each other. For example, the boundary B1between the S-pole and the N-pole of the second magnet 130 disposed onthe housing 140 may be parallel to the optical axis.

Although the second electrode 130 may be disposed such that the surfacethereof facing the second coils 120 is the S-pole 132 and the oppositesurface is the N-pole 134, the embodiment is not limited thereto, andthe opposite configuration is also possible.

The first magnet 190 a may be mounted to the housing 140 so as to belocated above the second magnet 130. The first magnet 190 a may be aunipolar magnet, the upper side and the lower side of which havedifferent polarities. For example, a boundary B2 between an S-pole andan N-pole of the first magnet 190 a may be perpendicular to the boundaryB1 between the S-pole and the N-pole of the second magnet 130, withoutbeing limited thereto. The size of the first magnet 190 a may be smallerthan the size of the second magnet 130, without being limited thereto.Here, the size may be the volume of the magnet, or the area of theN-pole and the S-pole.

The first magnet 190 a may be disposed to come into contact with thesecond magnet 130. For example, the polarity (e.g., the N-pole) of thelower side of the first magnet 190 a may be opposite to the polarity(e.g., the S-pole) of a portion of the second magnet 130 coming intocontact with the first magnet 190 a.

In another embodiment, the first magnet 190 a may be mounted to thehousing 140 so as to be spaced apart from the second magnet 130. Thehousing 140 may have a mounting recess so that the first magnet 190 a isfixed in the mounting recess so as to be spaced apart from the secondmagnet 130. The first magnet 190 a may overlap at least a portion of thesecond magnet 130 in the direction parallel to the optical axis.

At the initial position, the first position sensor 170 may overlap atleast a portion of the first magnet 190 a in the direction perpendicularto the optical axis. On the other hand, at the initial position, thefirst position sensor 170 may not overlap the second magnet 130 in thedirection in which the first position sensor 170 and the first magnet190 a face each other. For example, at the initial position, the firstposition sensor 170 may not overlap the second magnet 130 in thedirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

The first position sensor 170 may sense the strength of a magnetic fieldof the first magnet 190 a, and may output a voltage having a level inproportion to the sensed strength of the magnetic field.

For example, at the initial position, the center of the first positionsensor 170 may overlap the S-pole of the first magnet 190 a in thedirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

FIG. 13B is a view illustrating another embodiment of an arrangementrelationship between the first coil 120, the first position sensor 170,a first magnet 190 b, and the second magnet 130 of FIG. 2 . The samereference numerals as those of FIG. 13A indicate the same configuration,and the same configuration will be described brief, or a descriptionthereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 13B, the first magnet 190 b may be a bipolar magnet,the upper side and the lower side of which have different polarities.The kinds of the first magnet 190 b may be broadly divided into ferrite,alnico, and rare-earth magnets, for example, and may be sorted into aP-type and an F-type according to the form of a magnetic circuit. Theembodiment is not limited as to the kind of bipolar magnet.

The first magnet 190 b may include a first sensing magnet 510, a secondsensing magnet 520, and a non-magnetic partition 530.

The first sensing magnet 510 and the second sensing magnet 520 may bespaced apart from each other so as to face each other in the opticalaxis direction or in the direction parallel to the optical axis. Thenon-magnetic partition 530 may be located between the first sensingmagnet 510 and the second sensing magnet 520.

In another embodiment, the first sensing magnet and the second sensingmagnet may be spaced apart from each other so as to face each other inthe direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and the non-magneticpartition may be located therebetween.

The non-magnetic partition 530 may include a section, which is a portionexhibiting substantially no magnetism and almost no polarity, and may befilled with air, or may include a non-magnetic substance.

A length L3 of the non-magnetic partition 530 may be half or less of theoverall length LT of the first magnet 190 b in the optical axisdirection or in the direction parallel to the optical axis. For example,the length L3 of the non-magnetic partition 530 may be 5% or more, or50% or less of the overall length LT of the first magnet 190 b.

A length L1 of the first sensing magnet 510 and a length of the secondsensing magnet 520, which face the first position sensor 170, may be thesame, without being limited thereto. In another embodiment, a firstlength L1 of the first sensing magnet 510 and a second length L2 of thesecond sensing magnet 520, which face the first position sensor 170, maybe different from each other.

A movable unit (e.g. the bobbin 110) of the lens moving apparatus 100may move from the initial position in the +Z-axis direction or the—Z-axis direction via AF driving. At the initial position, the movableunit (e.g. the bobbin 110) may be spaced apart from a fixed unit (e.g.the housing 140) by the upper and lower elastic members 150 and 160.

At the initial position, a center 170-1 of the first position sensor 170may be aligned to face the non-magnetic partition 530 of the firstmagnet 190 b in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, withoutbeing limited thereto. This serves to allow the strength of a magneticfield of the first magnet 190 b, as sensed by the first position sensor170, to exhibit a linear period when displacement of the movable unitvaries in the optical axis direction or in the direction parallel to theoptical axis.

According to the kind of the first magnet 190 b, the center 170-1 of thefirst position sensor 170 may be aligned to face any one of the firstsensing magnet 510, the second sensing magnet 520, and the non-magneticpartition 530 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis at theinitial position.

In order to increase the interactive electromagnetic force between anAuto-Focusing (AF) coil and a driving magnet, the AF coil is disposed soas to face the driving magnet, i.e. so as to be opposite thereto. Inorder to sense the generation of interactive electromagnetic force andthe strength of a magnetic field, the driving magnet may be shared by anAF position sensor and the AF coil. To this end, the AF position sensormay be located in the vicinity of the AF coil. When the AF positionsensor is located in the vicinity of the AF coil, the AF position sensoris affected by a magnetic field of the AF coil in a high frequencyrange, which may cause malfunction of the AF position sensor.

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating an error of an AF position sensor in thevicinity of an AF coil. “g1” indicates a gain of a normal AF positionsensor, and “g2” indicates a gain of an AF position sensor affected by amagnetic field of an AF coil. At this time, the AF position sensor maybe a Hall sensor.

Referring to FIG. 14 , it can be appreciated that a difference betweeng2 and g1 is large (indicated by reference numeral 950) in a highfrequency range, for example, in a range of 2 kHz or more, and thus again error of the AF position sensor occurs in the AF position sensor.

Since the lens moving apparatus 100 according to the embodiment includesthe first magnet 190 for the first position sensor 170, in addition tothe second magnet 130 for the first coil 120, it is unnecessary tolocate the first position sensor 170 in the vicinity of the first coil120, which may inhibit an error and malfunction of the first positionsensor 170 due to the effect of a magnetic field of the first coil 120within a high frequency range.

Next, the upper elastic member 150, the lower elastic member 160, andthe support members 220 will be described.

The upper elastic member 150 and the lower elastic member 160 supportthe bobbin 110 by elasticity thereof. The support members 220 maysupport the housing 140 so as to be movable relative to the base 210 inthe direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and may electricallyconnect at least one of the upper and lower elastic members 150 and 160to the circuit board 250.

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the upper elasticmember 150, the lower elastic member 160, the first position sensor 170,the sensor board 180, the base 210, the support members 220, and acircuit board 250 illustrated in FIG. 2 .

The upper elastic member 150 may include a plurality of upper elasticmembers 150; 150-1 to 150-4, which is electrically separated from oneanother.

The elastic member contact portions 184-1 to 184-4 may be electricallyconnected to at least one of the upper elastic member 150 and the lowerelastic member 160. FIG. 11 illustrates that the elastic member contactportions 184-1 to 184-4 come into electrical contact with the upperelastic members 150-1 to 150-4, without being limited thereto. Inanother embodiment, the elastic member contact portions 184-1 to 184-4may come into electrical contact with the lower elastic member 160, ormay come into electrical contact with both the upper elastic member 150and the lower elastic member 160.

The respective elastic member contact portions 184-1 to 184-4,electrically connected to the first position sensor 170, may beelectrically connected to a corresponding one of the upper elasticmembers 150-1 to 150-4. In addition, the respective upper elasticmembers 150-1 to 150-4 may be electrically connected to a correspondingone of the support members 220.

Each one 150 a of the first and third upper elastic members 150-1 and150-3 may include a first inner frame 151, a first-first outer frame 152a, and a first frame connection portion 153, and each one 150 b of thesecond and fourth upper elastic members 150-2 and 150-4 may include thefirst inner frame 151, a first-first outer frame 152 b, and the firstframe connection portion 153.

The first inner frame 151 of each of the first to fourth upper elasticmembers 150-1 to 150-4 may be coupled to the bobbin 110 and acorresponding one of the elastic member contact portions 184-1 to 184-4.

In the case where the upper surface 112 a of the second protrusion 112is flat as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4 , the first inner frame 151may be disposed on the upper surface 112 a, and then may be fixed by anadhesive member. In another embodiment, unlike the illustration of FIG.4 , in the case where the upper surface 112 a is formed with a supportboss (not illustrated), the support boss may be inserted into asecond-first through-hole 151 a formed in the first inner frame 151, andthen may be fixed via thermal bonding, or may be fixed by an adhesivemember such as, for example, epoxy.

The first-first outer frames 152 a and 152 b may be coupled to thehousing 140 and connected to the support members 220, and the firstframe connection portion 153 may connect the first inner frame 151 tothe first-first outer frame 152 a or 152 b. Although the first-firstouter frame 152 b may be formed by bisecting the first-first outer frame152 a, the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, in anotherembodiment, the first-first outer frame 152 a may be bisected in thesame manner as the first-first outer frame 152 b.

The first frame connection portion 153 may be bent at least one time toform a given pattern. Upward and/or downward movement of the bobbin 110in the first direction parallel to the optical axis may be elasticallysupported via position variation and fine deformation of the first frameconnection portion 153.

The upper support bosses 143 of the housing 140 may couple and fix thehousing 140 to the first-first outer frames 152 a and 152 b of the upperelastic member 150. In the embodiment, the first-first outer frames 152a and 152 b may be formed with second-second through-holes 157, whichhave a shape and position corresponding to those of the upper supportbosses 143. At this time, the upper support boss 143 and thesecond-second through-hole 157 may be fixed via thermal bonding, or maybe fixed by an adhesive member such as, for example, epoxy. In order tofix the first to fourth upper elastic members 150-1 to 150-4, asufficient number of upper support bosses 143 may be provided at thehousing 140. Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the incompletecoupling of the first to fourth elastic members 150-1 to 150-4 and thehousing 140.

In addition, a distance between the upper support bosses 143 may beappropriately determined within a range suitable to avoid interferencewith surrounding elements. That is, the upper support bosses 143 may belocated at corners of the housing 140, with a constant distancetherebetween, so as to be symmetrical to one another about the center ofthe bobbin 110. In another embodiment, a distance between the uppersupport bosses 143 may not be constant, and the upper support bosses 143may be symmetrical to one another about a specific virtual line passingthrough the center of the bobbin 110.

After the first inner frames 151 are coupled to the bobbin 110 and thefirst-first outer frames 152 a and 152 b are coupled to the housing 140,conductive connections CP11 to CP14 such as, for example, soldering areperformed on the elastic member contact portions 184-1 to 184-4 of thesensor board 180 and the first inner frames 151 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Thereby, driving signals may be applied to the two pins P11 and P12among the four pins P11 to P22 of the first position sensor 170, andoutput signals or feedback signals may be output to the other two pinsP21 and P22 among the four pins P11 to P22 of the first position sensor170. To this end, the upper elastic member 150 may be divided into fourparts, thereby including the first to fourth upper elastic members 150-1to 150-4.

The first to fourth upper elastic members 150-1 to 150-4 are connectedto the circuit board 250 via the support members 220. That is, the firstupper elastic member 150-1 may be connected to the circuit board 250 viaat least one of first-first and first-second support members 220-1 a and220-1 b, the second upper elastic member 150-2 may be connected to thecircuit board 250 via a second support member 220-2, the third upperelastic member 150-3 may be connected to the circuit board 250 via atleast one of third-first and third-second support members 220-3 a and220-3 b, and the fourth upper elastic member 150-4 may be connected tothe circuit board 250 via a fourth support member 220-4. Accordingly,the first position sensor 170 may receive power supplied from thecircuit board 250 through the upper elastic member 150, or may providethe circuit board 250 with output signals or feedback signals.

Meanwhile, the lower elastic member 160 may include first and secondlower elastic members 160-1 and 160-2, which are electrically separatedfrom each other. The first coil 120 may be connected to the supportmembers 220 via the first and second lower elastic members 160-1 and160-2.

Each of the first and second lower elastic members 160-1 and 160-2 mayinclude one or more second inner frames 161-1 and 161-1, one or moresecond outer frames 162-1 and 162-2, and one or more frame connectionportions 163-1 to 163-3.

The second inner frames 161-1 and 161-1 may be coupled to the bobbin110, and the second outer frames 162-1 and 162-2 may be coupled to thehousing 140. The second-first frame connection portion 163-1 may connectthe second inner frame 161-1 and the second outer frame 162-1 to eachother, the second-second frame connection portion 163-2 may connect thetwo second outer frames 162-1 and 162-2 to each other, the second-thirdframe connection portion 163-3 may connect the second inner frame 161-1and the second outer frame 162-2 to each other.

In addition, the first lower elastic member 160-1 may further include afirst coil frame 164-1, and the second lower elastic member 160-2 mayfurther include a second coil frame 164-2.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the first and second coil frames 164-1 and 164-2may be conductively connected to both distal ends of the first coil 120via conductive connection members such as, for example, solders. Thefirst and second lower elastic members 160-1 and 160-2 may receive drivesignals from the circuit board 250 to thereby transmit the drive signalsto the first coil 120. For example, the drive signals may include powerof different polarities. In order to transmit the drive signals to thefirst coil 120, the lower elastic member 160 may be bisected into thefirst and second lower elastic members 160-1 and 160-2.

In addition, each of the first and second lower elastic members 160-1and 160-2 may further include a second-fourth frame connection portion163-4. The second-fourth frame connection portion 163-4 may connect thecoil frame 164 and the second inner frame 161-1 to each other.

At least one of the second-first to second-fourth frame connectionportions 163-1, 163-2, 163-3 and 163-4 described above may be bent atleast one time to form a pattern. For example, upward and/or downwardmovement of the bobbin 110 in the optical axis direction or in thedirection parallel to the optical axis may be elastically supported viaposition variation and fine deformation of the second-first andsecond-third frame connection portions 163-1 and 163-3.

In one embodiment, as illustrated, each of the first and second lowerelastic members 160-1 and 160-2 may further include a bent portion 165.The bent portion 165 may be bent from the second-second frame connectionportion 163-2 toward the upper elastic member 150 so as to extend in thefirst direction. The upper elastic member 160 may further include fifthand sixth upper elastic members 150-5 and 150-6, which are electricallyseparated from each other.

Each of the fifth and sixth upper elastic members 150-5 and 150-6 mayfurther include a connection frame 154 and a first-second outer frame155. The connection frames 154 may be connected to the bent portions 165of the first and second lower elastic members 160-1 and 160-2, and mayextend in the first direction.

The first-second outer frame 155 may be bent from the connection frame154 to extend in the direction perpendicular to the first direction soas to be coupled to the housing 140, and may be connected to the supportmember 220. For example, the fifth upper elastic member 150-5 may beconnected to the fifth support member 220-5, and the sixth upper elasticmember 150-6 may be connected to the sixth support member 220-6. Forexample, the bent portions 165 of the respective first and second lowerelastic members 160-1 and 160-2 may be integrally formed with theconnection frames 154 and the first-second outer frames 155 of the fifthand sixth upper elastic members 150-5 and 150-6. As such, the respectivefirst and second lower elastic members 160-1 and 160-2 and therespective fifth and sixth upper elastic members 150-5 and 150-6 mayhave the bent portions 165 or 154, which are bent to extend in the firstdirection.

In another embodiment, the connection frame 154 of each of the fifth andsixth upper elastic members 150-5 and 150-6 may be bent from thefirst-second outer frame 155 to extend in the first direction. Inaddition, the bent connection frame 154 may come into contact with thesecond-second frame connection portion 163-2. In this case, the bentportion 165 of each of the first and second lower elastic members 160-1and 160-2 illustrated in FIG. 11 may be omitted. As such, the respectivefirst and second lower elastic members 160-1 and 160-2 may have no bentportion extending in the first direction, and the respective fifth andsixth upper elastic members 150-5 and 150-6 may have the bent portion154 extending in the first direction.

In another embodiment, the bent portion 165 of each of the first andsecond lower elastic members 160-1 and 160-2 may be bent from thesecond-second frame connection portion 163-2 to extend in the firstdirection. In addition, the bent portion 165 may be formed so as to comeinto contact with the first-second outer frame 155. In this case, theconnection frame 154 of each of the fifth and sixth upper elasticmembers 150-5 and 150-6 illustrated in FIG. 11 may be omitted. As such,the respective first and second lower elastic members 160-1 and 160-2have the bent portion 165 extending in the first direction, whereas therespective fifth and sixth upper elastic members 150-5 and 150-6 mayhave no bent portion extending in the first direction.

In another embodiment, a metal piece (not illustrated) may be insertedinto or attached to the housing 140. In this case, the first-secondouter frame 155 and the second-second frame connection portion 163-2illustrated in FIG. 11 may be connected to each other via the metalpiece (not illustrated), and the bent portion 165 and the connectionframe 154 may be omitted. As such, the respective first and second lowerelastic members 160-1 and 160-2 and the respective fifth and sixth upperelastic members 150-5 and 150-6 may have no bent portion extending inthe first direction.

As described above, at least one of the upper elastic member and thelower elastic member may have a bent portion extending in the firstdirection, or may have a bent shape, or neither upper nor lower elasticmember may have a bent portion extending in the first direction, or abent shape.

Meanwhile, the first-second outer frame 155 may further have thesecond-second through-hole 157, in the same manner as the first-firstouter frame 152 b.

In one embodiment, the first-first outer frames 152 a and 152 b of thefirst to sixth upper elastic members 150-1 to 150-6 may be disposed todiagonally face each other, and the first-second outer frames 155 may bedisposed to diagonally face each other.

For example, the first-first outer frame 152 a of the first upperelastic member 150-1 and the first-first outer frame 152 a of the thirdupper elastic member 150-3 may be disposed to diagonally face eachother. In addition, the first-first outer frame 152 b of the secondupper elastic member 150-2 and the first-first outer frame 152 b of thefourth upper elastic member 150-4 may be disposed to diagonally faceeach other. In addition, the first-second outer frame 155 of the fifthupper elastic member 150-5 and the first-second outer frame 155 of thesixth upper elastic member 150-6 may be disposed to diagonally face eachother.

Alternatively, in another embodiment, although not illustrated, thefirst-first outer frames 152 a and 152 b of the first to sixth upperelastic members 150-1 to 150-6 may be disposed at two corners among fourcorners illustrated in FIG. 11 , rather than being disposed todiagonally face each other, and the first-second outer frames 155 may bedisposed at the other two corners among the four corners, rather thanbeing disposed to diagonally face each other.

Meanwhile, the first and second lower elastic members 160-1 and 160-2may receive drive signals or power from the circuit board 250 throughthe fifth and sixth upper elastic members 150-5 and 150-6 connected tothe support members 220 to thereby provide the drive signals or power tothe first coil 120. For example, the first lower elastic member 160-1may be connected to the circuit board 250 through the sixth upperelastic member 150-6 and the sixth support member 220-6, and the secondlower elastic member 160-2 may be connected to the circuit board 250through the fifth upper elastic member 150-5 and the fifth supportmember 220-5.

Although the embodiment illustrates that each of the upper and lowerelastic members 150 and 160 is divided into two or more parts, inanother embodiment, the upper and lower elastic members 150 and 160 maynot be divided.

The lower support bosses 117 of the bobbin 110 may serve to couple andfix the second inner frames 161-1 and 161-1 of the lower elastic member160 to the bobbin 110. The lower support bosses 145 of the housing 140may couple and fix the second outer frames 162-1 and 162-2 of the lowerelastic member 160 to the housing 140.

At this time, the number of lower support bosses 145 of the housing 140may be greater than the number of lower support bosses 117 of the bobbin110. This is because the length of the second frame connection portion163-2 of the lower elastic member 160 is longer than the length of thefirst frame connection portion 163-1.

Since the lower elastic member 160 is divided into two parts asdescribed above, in the same manner as the upper support bosses 143 ofthe housing 140, the lower support bosses 117 and 145 of the bobbin 110may be provided in the sufficient number, which may inhibit unwantedseparation of the lower elastic member 160.

In the embodiment, each of the first and second lower elastic members160-1 and 160-2 may have third through-holes 161 a, which are formed inthe second inner frames 161-1 and 161-1 so as to have a shapecorresponding to that of the lower support bosses 117 of the bobbin 110.At this time, the lower support bosses 117 of the bobbin 110 and thethird through-holes 161 a of the second inner frames 161-1 and 161-1 maybe fixed to each other via thermal bonding, or may be fixed to eachother by an adhesive member such as, for example, epoxy.

In addition, each of the first and second lower elastic members 160-1and 160-2 may have fourth through-holes 162 a, which are formed in thesecond outer frames 162-1 and 162-2 so as to have a shape correspondingto that of the lower support bosses 145 of the housing 140. At thistime, the lower support bosses 145 and the fourth through-holes 162 amay be fixed to each other via thermal bonding, or may be fixed to eachother by an adhesive member such as, for example, epoxy.

Although each of the upper elastic member 150 and the lower elasticmember 160 described above may take the form of a leaf spring, theembodiment is not limited as to the material of the upper and lowerelastic members 150 and 160.

Drive signals or power may be supplied to the first position sensor 170through the two electrically separated upper elastic members (e.g. 150-1and 150-2), output signals or feedback signals output from the firstposition sensor 170 may be transmitted to the circuit board 250 throughthe other two electrically separated upper elastic members (e.g. 150-3and 150-4), and drive signals (e.g. drive power) may be supplied to thefirst coil 120 through the two electrically separated lower elasticmembers 160-1 and 160-2. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the role of the upper elastic members and therole of the lower elastic members may be changed. For example, power maybe supplied to the first coil 120 through the two electrically separatedupper elastic members, power may be supplied to the first positionsensor 170 through the two electrically separated lower elastic members,and output signals from the first position sensor 170 may be transmittedto the circuit board 250 through the other two electrically separatedupper elastic members. This is not illustrated, but will be clearlyunderstood via the drawings described above.

Hereinafter, the upper and lower elastic members 150 and 160 will bedescribed in brief assuming the case where the above described roles ofthe upper elastic member 150 and the lower elastic member 160 arechanged. In this case, the lower elastic member may be divided in thesame manner as in the upper elastic member 150 illustrated in FIG. 11 ,and the upper elastic member may be divided in the same manner as in thelower elastic member 160 illustrated in FIG. 11 . In addition, theelastic member contact portions of the sensor board 180 may protrude soas to face the lower elastic member 160, rather than facing the upperelastic member 150 of FIG. 11 , and may be electrically connected to acorresponding one of the divided lower elastic members.

The lower elastic member may include first to fourth lower elasticmembers, which are separated from one another, and the first positionsensor 170 may be connected to the support members 220 via the first tofourth lower elastic members.

Each of the first to fourth lower elastic members may include a firstinner frame coupled to the bobbin 110, a first-first outer frame coupledto the housing 140 and connected to the support member 220, and a firstframe connection portion configured to connect the first inner frame andthe first-first outer frame to each other.

The upper elastic member may include first and second upper elasticmembers, which are separated from each other. The first coil 120 may beconnected to the support members 220 via the first and second upperelastic members.

Each of the first and second upper elastic members may include at leastone second inner frame coupled to the bobbin 110, at least one secondouter frame coupled to the housing 140, and a second-first frameconnection portion configured to connect the second inner frame and thesecond outer frame to each other.

The second outer frame may be provided in the plural number, and each ofthe first and second upper elastic members may further include asecond-second frame connection portion configured to connect the secondouter frames to each other.

The lower elastic member may further include fifth and sixth lowerelastic members, which are separated from each other. Each of the fifthand sixth lower elastic members may further include a first-second outerframe, which is formed in the direction perpendicular to the firstdirection so as to be coupled to the housing 140 and may be connected tothe support member 220.

Each of the first and second upper elastic members may further include abent portion, which is bent from the second-second frame connectionportion toward the lower elastic member so as to extend in the firstdirection. Each of the fifth and sixth lower elastic members may furtherinclude a connection frame configured to connect the bent portion andthe first-second outer frame to each other.

Alternatively, each of the fifth and sixth lower elastic members mayfurther include a connection frame, which is bent from the first-secondouter frame to extend in the first direction and comes into contact withthe second-second frame connection portion. At this time, the bentportion, the connection frame, and the first-second outer frame may beintegrally formed with one another.

Alternatively, each of the first and second upper elastic members mayfurther include a bent portion, which is bent from the second-secondframe connection portion to extend in the first direction and comes intocontact with the first-second outer frame.

Alternatively, the lens moving apparatus may further include a metalpiece inserted into or attached to the housing 140, and the first-secondouter frame and the second-third frame connection portion may beconnected to each other via the metal piece.

Each of the first and second upper elastic members may further include acoil frame connected to a corresponding one of both distal ends of thefirst coil 120, and a second-third frame connection portion configuredto connect the coil frame and the second inner frame to each other.

Next, the base 210, the circuit board 250, and the second coils 230 willbe described.

The base 210 may have a bore or center hole corresponding to the bore ofthe bobbin 110 and/or the bore of the housing 140 described above, andmay have a shape that coincides with or corresponds to that of the covermember 300, for example, a square shape.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the base 210, the secondcoils 230, and the circuit board 250 illustrated in FIG. 2 .

The base 210 may have a stepped portion 211, to which an adhesive may beapplied when the cover member 300 is fixed using the adhesive. At thistime, the stepped portion 211 may guide the cover member 300 to becoupled to the upper side thereof, and may come into surface contactwith an end of the cover member 300.

The stepped portion 211 of the base 210 and the end of the cover member300 may be fixed or sealed to each other using, for example, anadhesive.

The base 210 may be spaced apart from the first lens moving unit by agiven distance. The base 210 may be formed with a support portion 255,which has a size and shape corresponding to those of a terminal surface253 of the circuit board 250 which is formed with terminals 251. Thesupport portion 255 may be formed at an outer side surface of the base210 so as to have a constant cross-sectional area without the steppedportion 211, and may support the terminal surface 253 of the circuitboard 250 which is formed with the terminals 251.

A second recess 212 may be formed in each corner of the base 210. Whenthe cover member 300 has a protrusion formed at each corner thereof, theprotrusion of the cover member 300 may be fitted into the second recess212 of the base 210.

In addition, second seating recesses 215-1 and 215-2 may be formed in anupper surface of the base 210 so that the second position sensors 240may be disposed in the second seating recesses 215-1 and 215-2. In theembodiment, the second seating recesses 215-1 and 215-2 may be equal innumber to the second position sensors 240 (e.g. two second seatingrecesses may be provided).

The second position sensors 240, disposed in the second seating recesses215-1 and 215-2 of the base 210, may sense a movement degree of thehousing 140 in the second direction and the third direction. To thisend, virtual lines, which connect the second seating recesses 215-1 and215-2 to the center of the base 210 respectively, may cross with eachother. For example, the two second seating recesses 215-1 and 215-2 maybe disposed such that an angle between the crossing virtual lines is 90degrees.

In addition, although epoxy or the like may not be introduced into thesecond seating recesses 215-1 and 215-2, epoxy or the like may beintroduced to fix the second position sensors 240. Because at least onesurface of each of the second seating recesses 215-1 and 215-2 is formedas a tapered slope (not illustrated), the introduction of epoxy or thelike for the assembly of the second position sensor 240 may not beefficiently performed.

In the embodiment, the second seating recesses 215-1 and 215-2 may bedisposed at edge portions of the base 210, without being limitedthereto.

In another embodiment, the second seating recesses 215-1 and 215-2 maybe disposed at or near the center of the second coils 230.Alternatively, the second seating recesses 215-1 and 215-2 may bedisposed such that the center of the second coils 230 is aligned withthe center of the second position sensors 240.

The base 210 may further have a recessed portion formed at a positioncorresponding to the stepped portion of the cover member 300, and forexample, an adhesive may be introduced through the recessed portion.

In addition, a seating portion (not illustrated) for a filter may beformed in a lower surface of the base 210. The filter may be an infraredlight blocking filter. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto,and the filter may be disposed at a sensor holder which is separatelyprovided below the base 210. In addition, although will be describedbelow, a circuit board provided with an image sensor may be disposed onthe lower surface of the base 210, and the camera module may include thelens moving apparatus 100 according to the embodiment and the circuitboard provided with the image sensor.

Meanwhile, the support members 220 may be located respectively at thesecond side portions 142 of the housing 140. For example, two supportmembers 220 may be located at each of the four second side portions 142.

Alternatively, only one support member may be disposed at each of thetwo second side portions among the four second side portions 142 of thehousing 140, and two support members may be disposed at each of theother two second side portions.

In addition, in another embodiment, the support members 220 may be leafsprings disposed at the first side portions 141 of the housing 140.

As described above, the support members 220 may define a path, alongwhich required power is transmitted to the first position sensor 170 andthe first coil 120, and may also define a path, along which outputsignals from the first position sensor 170 are provided to the circuitboard 250.

The support members 220 may be implemented into elastic support memberssuch as, for example, leaf springs, coil springs, or suspension wires.In addition, in another embodiment, the support members 220 may beintegrally formed with the upper elastic member 150.

The second coils 230 may be disposed above the circuit board 250, andthe second position sensors 240 may be disposed below the circuit board250. The second position sensors 240 may sense displacement of thehousing 140 relative to the base 210 in the direction perpendicular tothe optical axis based on the result of sensing the strength of amagnetic field of the second magnets 130. The second position sensors240 may include two sensors 240 a and 240 b, which are disposedperpendicular to each other in order to sense the displacement of thehousing 140 in the direction (i.e. the X-axis and the Y-axis)perpendicular to the optical axis.

The second position sensors 240, the second coils 230, and the secondmagnets 130 may be disposed on the same axis, without being limitedthereto.

The circuit board 250 may be disposed on the upper surface of the base210, and may have a bore corresponding to the bore of the bobbin 110,the bore of the housing 140, and/or the bore of the base 210. An outercircumferential surface of the circuit board 250 may have a shape whichcoincides with or corresponds to the upper surface of the base 210, forexample, a square shape, without being limited thereto.

The circuit board 250 may include at least one second terminal surface253, which is bent from the upper surface of the circuit board 250 andis formed with a plurality of terminals or pins to receive electricalsignals from an external source.

Fifth through-holes 230 a are perforated in corner portions of a circuitmember 231. The support members 220 may penetrate the fifththrough-holes 230 a so as to be connected to the circuit board 250.

The second coils 230 a to 230 d are disposed on the circuit board 250 soas to be opposite to the second magnets 130 fixed to the housing 140.

In FIG. 12 , the circuit member 231 including the second coils 230 maybe disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board 250. However, thedisclosure is not limited to the embodiment, and in another embodiment,a circuit pattern in the form of the second coils 230 may be formed onthe circuit board 250.

Although four second coils 230 may be installed at four sides of thecircuit board 250, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and only twosecond coils may be installed respectively in the second direction andthe third direction, and four or more second coils may be installed.

Alternatively, the second coil 230 may be configured by winding a wirein a donut shape, or may be formed into an FP coil form so as to beelectrically connected to the circuit board 250.

The housing 140 may be moved in the second direction and/or the thirddirection via interaction of the second magnets 130 and the second coils130 disposed to face each other as described above, thereby performinghandshake compensation.

The second position sensors 240 may sense displacement of the first lensmoving unit relative to the base 210 in the second direction (e.g. theX-axis) and the third direction (e.g. the Y-axis), which areperpendicular to the optical axis (e.g. the Z-axis). To this end, thesecond position sensors 240 may be disposed on the base 210 so as to bealigned with the center of the second coils 230, thereby sensingdisplacement or movement of the housing 140.

The second position sensors 240 may be Hall sensors, and any othersensors may be used so long as they can sense the strength of a magneticfield. The second position sensors 240, as exemplarily illustrated inFIG. 12 , may be installed in the second seating recesses 215-1 and215-2 formed in the upper surface of the base 210 which is disposedbelow the circuit board 250. For example, two second position sensors240 may be provided at side portions of the upper surface of the base210.

The circuit board 250 may have sixth through-holes 250 a 1 and 250 a 2for the penetration of the support members 220. The support members 220may be electrically connected to a circuit pattern, which is disposed ona bottom surface of the circuit board 250, through the sixththrough-holes 250 a 1 and 250 a 2 of the circuit board 250 via, forexample, soldering.

The circuit board 250 may further include seventh through-holes 250 b.Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , the support bosses 217 of the base 210and the seventh through-holes 250 b may be coupled and fixed to eachother via thermal bonding, or may be fixed to each other using anadhesive member such as, for example, epoxy.

The circuit board 250 may further include the terminals 251. The circuitboard 250 may be formed with the bent terminal surface 253. In theembodiment, at least one terminal 251 may be installed to the bentterminal surface 253 of the circuit board 250.

In the embodiment, the terminals 251 installed on the terminal surface253 may receive power from an external source and supply the power tothe first and second coils 120 and 230 and the first and second positionsensors 170 and 240, and may externally output signals from the firstand second position sensors 170 and 240. The number of terminals formedat the terminal surface 253 of the circuit board 250 may be increased orreduced according to the kinds of constituent elements that need to becontrolled.

In the embodiment, the circuit board 250 may be a Flexible PrintedCircuit Board (FPCB), without being limited thereto. In anotherembodiment, for example, terminals of the circuit board 250 are directlyformed on the surface of the base 210 via, for example, a surfaceelectrode method, so as to substitute for the terminals of the circuitboard 250.

As described above, the circuit board 250 may supply required power, forexample, current to the first coil 120 and the first position sensor170, and may receive output signals or feedback signals from the firstposition sensor 170. Displacement of the bobbin 110 may be adjusted bythe output signals or feedback signals.

Meanwhile, the lens moving apparatus according to the above-describedembodiment may be used in various fields, for example, a camera module.For example, the camera module may be applied to, for example, a mobileappliance such as a cellular phone or the like.

The camera module according to the embodiment may include a lens barrelwhich is coupled to the bobbin 110, an image sensor (not illustrated),an image sensor substrate which is connected to the circuit board 250and is provided with the image sensor, and an optical system.

In addition, the optical system may include at least one lens whichtransmits an image to the image sensor. At this time, an actuator modulemay be installed to the optical system so as to perform theauto-focusing function and the handshake compensation function. Theactuator module to perform the auto-focusing function may be configuredin various ways, and a voice coil unit motor is frequently used. Thelens moving apparatus according to the above-described embodiment mayserve as the actuator module which performs both the auto-focusingfunction and the handshake compensation function.

In addition, the camera module may further include an infrared lightblocking filter (not illustrated). The infrared light blocking filterserves to block infrared light to be introduced to the image sensor. Inthis case, the infrared light blocking filter may be installed to thebase 210 illustrated in FIG. 2 at a position corresponding to the imagesensor, and may be coupled to a holder member (not illustrated). Inaddition, the base 210 may support the lower side of the holder member.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating the arrangement of the first positionsensor 170 and the first magnet 190 illustrated in FIG. 1 according toanother embodiment, FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a seating recess 148a of the housing 140 for the mounting of the first magnet 190illustrated in FIG. 15 , and FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken alongline I-I′ of FIG. 3 illustrating the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16 .

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 may be the same as theconfiguration described in FIGS. 1 to 12 except for the arrangement ofthe first position sensor 170 and the first magnet 190 and the provisionof the seating recess 148 a of the housing 140.

Referring to FIGS. 15 to 17 , the first position sensor 170 may bedisposed on any one of the second side surfaces S2 of the bobbin 110.For example, the receiving recess 116 of the bobbin 110 may be formed inany one of the second side surfaces S2 of the bobbin 110, and the firstposition sensor 170 may be disposed in the receiving recess 116 of thebobbin 110.

The first magnet 190 may be located in a region between the two secondmagnets (e.g. 130-1 and 130-2) which are disposed in the vicinity of thefirst position sensor 170 so as to face the first position sensor 170.

For example, the first magnet 190 may be disposed, fixed, or mounted onany one of the second side portions 142 of the housing 140. In addition,the first position sensor 170 may be located at any one of the secondside surfaces of the bobbin 110 corresponding to the second side portionof the housing 140 on which the first magnet 190 is disposed.

For example, the first magnet seating recess 148 a may be provided inany one of the second side portions 142 of the housing 140, and thefirst magnet 190 may be disposed, fixed, or mounted in the first magnetseating recess 148 a.

For example, the first magnet seating recess 148 a may be provided in aninner side surface of the third protrusion 148 of the housing 140opposite to the bobbin 110.

At the initial position, the first position sensor 170 may not overlapthe second magnets 130 in the direction in which the first positionsensor 170 and the first magnet 190 a face each other. For example, atthe initial position, the first position sensor 170 may not overlap oralign the second magnet 130 in the direction perpendicular to theoptical axis where the first position sensor 170 and the first magnet190 a face each other.

Although the first magnet 190 of the lens moving apparatus 100illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 12 may be aligned with or overlap the secondmagnets 130 in the optical axis direction or the direction parallel tothe optical axis, the first magnet 190 and the second magnets 130 of theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 may not be aligned with or notoverlap each other in the optical axis direction or the directionparallel to the optical axis.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 , since the firstmagnet 190 and the second magnets 130 are not aligned with each other ordo not overlap each other in the optical axis direction or in thedirection parallel to the optical axis, output signals of the firstposition sensor 170 may be less affected by variation in the magneticfield of the second magnet 130 compared to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 , which may enable more accurate auto-focus sensing.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a lens movingapparatus 1100 according to another embodiment, FIG. 19 is an assembledperspective view illustrating the lens moving apparatus 1100 afterremoval of a cover member 1300 as compared to FIG. 18 , FIGS. 20 and 21are perspective views illustrating a bobbin 1110 of FIG. 18 , FIG. 22 isa perspective view illustrating a housing 1140 of FIG. 18 , FIG. 23 isan assembled perspective view illustrating an upper elastic member 1150,second magnets 1130 a to 1130 d, and the bobbin 1110 of FIG. 18 , andFIG. 24 is an assembled perspective view illustrating a lower elasticmember 1160 and the bobbin 1110 of FIG. 18 , and FIG. 26 is a plan viewof the lens moving apparatus 1100 illustrated in FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIGS. 18 to 24 , the lens moving apparatus 1100 of theembodiment includes an upper elastic member 1150, a bobbin 1110, ahousing 1140, second magnets 1130 a to 1130 d, a lower elastic member1160, second coils 1230 a to 1230 d, and a second position sensor 1240.

The lens moving apparatus 1100 may further include a first coil 1120, afirst magnet 1185, a first position sensor 1190, a cover member 1300, afirst circuit board 1170, elastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d, asecond circuit board 1250, and a base 1210.

The description related to the cover member 300 illustrated in FIG. 2may be equally applied to the cover member 1300 illustrated in FIG. 18 .

The bobbin 1110 is movable in the optical axis direction or in thedirection parallel to the optical axis (e.g. the Z-axis) viaelectromagnetic interaction between the first coil 1120 and the secondmagnets 1130 a to 1130 d.

The bobbin 1110 may have one or more upper support bosses 1113; 1113 a,1113 b and 1113 c, which are formed on an upper surface so as to besecured to an inner frame 1151 of the upper elastic member 1150, and oneor more lower support bosses 1114, which are formed on a lower surfaceso as to be secured to an inner frame 1161 of the lower elastic member1160. These support bosses may be secured via thermal bonding, or usingan adhesive member such as, for example, epoxy.

A first magnet seating recess 1116 may be formed in an outercircumferential surface of the bobbin 1110 and may have a sizecorresponding to the first magnet 1185.

The bobbin 1110 may have upper escape recesses 1112 formed in an upperportion of the outer circumference surface thereof so as to correspondto connection portions 1153 of the upper elastic member 1150, in orderto inhibit spatial interference between the connection portions 1153 ofthe upper elastic member 1150 and the bobbin 1110 and to facilitateelastic deformation of the connection portions 1153 when the bobbin 1110is moved in the first direction. In addition, the bobbin 1110 may havelower escape recesses 1118 formed in a lower portion of the outercircumference surface thereof so as to correspond to connection portions1163 of the lower elastic member 1160, in order to inhibit spatialinterference between the connection portions 1163 of the lower elasticmember 1160 and the bobbin 1110 and to facilitate elastic deformation ofthe connection portions 1163 when the bobbin 1110 is moved in the firstdirection.

The description related to the bobbin 110 of FIG. 2 may be equallyapplied to the bobbin 110 of the present embodiment.

The first magnet 1185 provides magnetic flux to allow the first positionsensor 1190 for auto-focusing, which will be described below, to senseor determine a displacement value (or position) of the bobbin 1110 inthe first direction.

The first magnet 1185 may be divided into two parts in order to increasethe strength of a magnetic field, without being limited thereto.

The first magnet 1185 may be disposed on the outer circumferentialsurface of the bobbin 1110 so as not to overlap the first coil 1120 inthe direction perpendicular to the optical axis. For example, the firstmagnet 1185 may be disposed in the first magnet seating recess 1116formed in the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 1110.

Although the present embodiment illustrates the first magnet 1185 asbeing provided on the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 1110and the first position sensor 1190 as being provided on an outercircumferential surface of the housing 1140, in another embodiment, theopposite arrangement configuration may be adopted.

The description related to the first magnet 190 of FIG. 2 may be equallyapplied to the first magnet 1185 of the present embodiment.

The first coil 1120 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface ofthe bobbin 1110. The first coil 1120 may be wound so as to surround theouter circumferential surface of the bobbin 1110 in the direction inwhich the first coil 1120 is rotated about the optical axis asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 23 . In another embodiment, the firstcoil 1120 may include a plurality of coil blocks, and each coil blockmay have a ring shape.

The description related to the first coil 120 of FIG. 2 may be equallyapplied to the first coil 1120 of the present embodiment.

The housing 1140 supports the second magnets 130; 130 a to 130 d, andaccommodates the bobbin 1110 therein so as to allow the bobbin 1110 tobe moved in the direction parallel to the optical axis.

The housing 1140 may include an upper end portion 1710 having a bore,and a plurality of support portions 1720-1 to 1720-4 connected to alower surface of the upper end portion 1710.

The support portions 1720-1 to 1720-4 may be spaced apart from oneanother, and the two respective neighboring support portions may definean opening 1701, through which the first coil 1120 mounted to the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin 1110 is exposed.

For example, the support portions 1720-1 to 1720-4 of the housing 1140may be disposed to correspond to the escape recesses 1112 and 1118 ofthe bobbin 1110.

In addition, for example, the support portions 1720-1 to 1720-4 of thehousing 1140 may be disposed to correspond to or to be aligned with fourcorners of the upper end portion 1710 respectively.

The housing 1140 may have one or more stoppers 1143 and 1146, whichprotrude from an upper surface thereof in order to inhibit collisionwith the cover member 1300.

The housing 1140 may further have one or more upper frame support bosses1144, which protrude from an upper surface of the upper end portion 1710for the coupling of an outer frame 1152 of the upper elastic member1150.

The housing 140 may further have one or more lower frame support bosses1145, which protrude from a lower surface of the respective supportportions 1720-1 to 1720-4 for the coupling of an outer frame 1162 of thelower elastic member 1160.

The housing 1140 may have through-grooves 1751 formed in corners of aside surface of the upper end portion 1710 for the passage of theelastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d.

The through-grooves 1751 may be grooves indented from a side surface ofthe upper end portion 1710 of the housing 1140, without being limitedthereto. In another embodiment, the through-grooves 1751 may take theform of holes perforated in an upper surface and a lower surface of theupper end portion 1710 of the housing 1140.

The through-grooves 1751 may have a depth to inhibit a portion of theelastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d inserted in the through-grooves1751 from being exposed out of a side surface of the housing 1140. Thethrough-grooves 1751 may serve to guide or support the elastic supportmembers 1220 a to 1220 d.

The housing 1140 may have a recess 1141 b for the first position sensor,which is formed in the side surface of the upper end portion 1710. Atleast a portion of the first position sensor recess 1141 b formed in thehousing 1140 may overlap the second magnet seating recess 1116, whichformed in the bobbin 1110 in a direction perpendicular to an outercircumferential surface of the housing 1140, or no portion thereof mayoverlap the second magnet seating recess 1116.

For example, the first position sensor recess 1141 b may be formed inthe side surface of the upper end portion 1710 which is located betweenthe support portions 1720-1 to 1720-4 of the housing 1140.

The first position sensor 1190 may detect variation in magnetic forcedischarged from the first magnet 1185, and consequently, may sensedisplacement (value) (or position) of the bobbin 1110 in the firstdirection. The first position sensor 1190 may be disposed on the outercircumferential surface of the housing 1140 so as to be opposite to thefirst magnet 1185. The first position sensor 1190 may be located in thefirst position sensor recess 1141 b of the housing 1140.

The first position sensor 1190 may be electrically connected to a firstterminal surface 1170 a of the first circuit board 1170. For example,the first position sensor 1190 may be implemented into a driverincluding a Hall sensor, or may be implemented into a Hall sensor.

The second magnets 1130 a to 1130 d are disposed on the outercircumferential surface of the housing 1140 so as to correspond to thefirst coil 1120. For example, the second magnets 1130 a to 1130 d may bedisposed on the support portions 1720-1 to 1720-4 of the housing 1140.For example, the second magnets 1130 a to 1130 d may be disposed on sidesurfaces of the support portions 1720-1 to 1720-4.

The description related to the second magnets 130 of FIG. 2 may beequally applied to the second magnets 1130 of the present embodiment.

The upper elastic member 1150 may include the inner frame 1151 coupledto the bobbin 1110, the outer frame 1152 coupled to the housing 1140,the connection portions 1153 configured to connect the inner frame 1151and the outer frame 1152 to each other, and the elastic support members1220 a to 1220 d connected to the outer frame 1152.

The lower elastic member 1160 may include the inner frame 1161 coupledto the bobbin 1110, the outer frame 1162 coupled to the housing 1140,and the connection portions 1163 configured to connect the inner frame1161 and the outer frame 1162 to each other.

The inner frame 1151 of the upper elastic member 1150 may have a borecorresponding to a bore 1101 of the bobbin 1110 and/or a bore 1201 ofthe housing 1140. The outer frame 1152 of the upper elastic member 1150may have a polygonal ring shape located at the periphery of the innerframe 1151.

The inner frame 1151 of the upper elastic member 1150 may have bentportions 1151 a, which are coupled to the upper support bosses 1113 ofthe bobbin 1110.

The outer frame 1152 of the upper elastic member 1150 may be providedwith through-holes 1152 a, into which the upper frame support bosses1144 of the housing 1140 are inserted. The outer frame 1152 of the upperelastic member 1150 may have guide recesses 1155, into which thestoppers 1143 of the housing 1140 are inserted. For example, first guiderecesses 1155 a and 1155 b, which correspond to respective stoppers 1143a and 1143 b, may be formed in the outer frame 1152 of the upper elasticmember 1150, and the guide recesses 1155 a and 1155 b may be spacedapart from each other.

The inner frame 1161 of the lower elastic member 1160 may have a borecorresponding to the bore 1101 of the bobbin 1110 and/or the bore 1201of the housing 1140.

The outer frame 1162 of the lower elastic member 1160 may have apolygonal ring shape located at the periphery of the inner frame 1161.

The lower elastic member 1160 may be divided into two parts in order toreceive power having different polarities. The lower elastic member 1160may include a first lower elastic member 1160 a and a second lowerelastic member 1160 b, which are electrically separated from each other.

The inner frame 1161 of the lower elastic member 1160 may be providedwith through-holes 1161 a, into which the lower support bosses 1114 ofthe bobbin 1110 are inserted. The outer frame 1162 of the lower elasticmember 1160 may have insertion recesses 1162 a, into which the lowerframe support bosses 1145 of the support portions 1720-1 to 1720-4 ofthe housing 1140 are inserted.

The lower elastic member 1160 may be electrically connected to the firstcoil 1120.

A beginning end of the first coil 1120 may be electrically connected tothe first lower elastic member 1160 a, and a terminating end of thefirst coil 1120 may be electrically connected to the second lowerelastic member 1160 b.

The lower elastic member 1160 is electrically connected to the firstcircuit board 1170 which will be described below. For example, the outerframes 1162 of the first and second lower elastic members 1160 a and1160 b may have pad portions 1165 a and 1165 b, which are electricallyconnected to the first circuit board 1170 via, for example, soldering.

The pad portions 1165 a and 1165 b of the lower elastic member 1160 maybe electrically connected to corresponding ones of the first terminals1175-1 to 1175-n (where n is a natural number greater than 1) formed atthe first terminal surface 1170 a of the first circuit board 1170.

In another embodiment, instead of bisecting the lower elastic member1160, the upper elastic member 1150 and the lower elastic member 1160may be electrically connected to the first circuit board 1170.

Although the lower elastic member 1160 is divided into two parts and theupper elastic member 1150 is not divided, the embodiment is not limitedthereto. In another embodiment, the lower elastic member 1160 may not bedivided, and the upper elastic member 1150 may be divided into two partssuch that the divided upper elastic members are electrically connectedto the first circuit board 1170 so as to connect both ends of the firstcoil 1120, for example, the beginning and terminals ends of the firstcoil 1120 to different polarities of power sources upon the supply ofpower.

In another embodiment, the upper and lower elastic members 1150 and 1160may not be divided, the beginning end of the first coil 1120 may beconnected to the upper elastic member 1150, the terminating end of thefirst coil 1120 may be connected to the lower elastic member 1160, andthe upper and lower elastic members 1150 and 1160 may be electricallyconnected to the first circuit board 1170. As such, upon the supply ofpower, different polarities of power may be supplied to both ends of thefirst coil 1120, for example, the beginning and terminating ends of thefirst coil 1120.

In another embodiment, the upper and lower elastic members 1150 and 1160may not be divided and may not be electrically connected to the firstcircuit board 1170, the first circuit board 1170 and the first coil 1120may be directly electrically connected to each other, and the firstcircuit board 1170 and the second circuit board 1250 may be electricallyconnected to each other by the elastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d.As such, upon the supply of power, different polarities of power may besupplied to both ends of the first coil 1120, for example, the beginningand terminating ends of the first coil 1120.

The first circuit board 1170 may be disposed on the upper elastic member1150, and may include a first upper surface portion 1170 b disposed onthe outer frame 1152 of the upper elastic member 150, and the firstterminal surface 1170 a bent downward from the first upper surfaceportion 1170 b.

The first circuit board 1170 may have through-holes 1171 formed in thefirst upper surface portion 1170 b for the coupling of the upper supportbosses 1144 of the housing 1140. The first circuit board 1170 may haveguide grooves 1172 for the coupling of the stoppers 1143 of the housing1140. Here, the guide grooves 1172 may take the form of through-groovespenetrating the first circuit board 1170.

The first circuit board 1170 may be electrically connected to one end ofthe respective elastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d.

The first terminal surface 1170 a of the first circuit board 1170 may bebent downward at a right angle from the first upper surface portion 1170b, and may include the first terminals or first pins 1175-1 to 1175-n(where n is a natural number greater than 1) to which externalelectrical signals are input.

The terminals 1175-1 to 1175-n (where n is a natural number greaterthan 1) may include a terminal, which receives power from an externalsource and supplies the power to the first position sensor 1190, aterminal which serves as an output terminal of the first position sensor1190, and/or a terminal which is used to test the first position sensor1190. The number of terminals 1175-1 to 1175-n (where n is a naturalnumber greater than 1) formed on the first circuit board 1170 may beincreased or reduced according to the constituent elements that need tobe controlled.

The first position sensor 1190 may be electrically connected to at leastone of the terminals 1175-1 to 1175-n (where n is a natural numbergreater than 1) formed at the first terminal surface 1170 a of the firstcircuit board 1170 via soldering, and the number of terminals to beelectrically connected may be determined based on the realized form ofthe first position sensor 1190.

In another embodiment, the first circuit board 1170 and the upperelastic member 1150 may be integrated with each other. For example, thefirst circuit board 1170 may be omitted, and the upper elastic member1150 may include a stack of a thin film having heat resistance, chemicalresistance, and bending resistance, and a copper foil pattern forcircuit wiring.

In addition, in another embodiment, the first circuit board 1170 and thelower elastic member 1160 may be integrated with each other. Forexample, the first circuit board 1170 may be omitted, and the lowerelastic member 1160 may include a stack of a soft film and a copper foilpattern.

The base 1210 may be connected to the cover member 1300, and the supportportions 1720-1 to 1720-4 of the housing 1140 may be fixed to the base1210.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the base 1210, the secondcircuit board 1250, and the second coils 1230 a to 1230 d illustrated inFIG. 18 .

Referring to FIG. 25 , the base 1210 may have a bore corresponding tothe bore 1101 of the bobbin 1110 and/or the bore 1201 of the housing1140 described above, and may have a shape that coincides with orcorresponds to that of the cover member 1300, for example, a squareshape.

In addition, the base 1210 may have seating recesses 1213, which arerecessed in the upper surface thereof such that the lower frame supportbosses 1145 of the support portions 1720-1 to 1720-4 of the housing 1140are inserted into or fixed to the seating recesses 1213.

In order to ensure easy insertion of the lower frame support bosses 1145of the housing 1140, one side surface of each seating recess 1213 may beopened to the bore of the base 1210. That is, one of side surfaces ofthe seating recess 1213 of the base 1210, i.e. one side surface facingthe bore of the base 1210 may be opened.

The base 1210 may have a second position sensor seating recess 1219recessed in the upper surface thereof such that the second positionsensor 1240 is located in the seating recess 1219.

The second position sensor seating recess 1219 may be recessed in theupper surface of the base 1210, without being limited thereto. Inanother embodiment, the second position sensor seating recess may beopened to the outside of the side surface of the base 1210, and may bein communication with the bore of the base 1210.

The second position sensor seating recess 1219 may be located at oraligned with one region of the upper surface of the base 1210 locatedbetween the neighboring two second magnets 1130 a and 1130 b, 1130 b and1130 c, 1130 c and 1130 d, or 1130 d and 1130 a.

For example, the center of the second position sensor seating recess1219 may be aligned with a virtual reference line (1910, see FIG. 28 ).At this time, the virtual reference line 1910 may be a line that passesthrough the center axis of the housing 1140 or the center axis of thebase 1210, and around which two neighboring second magnets aresymmetrical with each other.

An upper surface of the second position sensor 1240, placed in thesecond position sensor seating recess 1219, and the upper surface of thebase 1210 may be the same plane, without being limited thereto.

In addition, the base 1210 may further include a stepped portion 1210 bprotruding from a lower portion of an outer circumferential surfacethereof. When the base 1210 and the cover member 1300 are coupled toeach other, the top of the stepped portion 1210 b of the base 1210 mayguide the cover member 1300, and may come into contact with the bottomof the cover member 1300. The stepped portion 1210 b and the end of thecover member 1300 may be fixed and sealed to each other using, forexample, an adhesive.

The second position sensor 1240 is disposed below the second circuitboard 1250. For example, the second position sensor 1240 may be placedin the position sensor seating recess 1219 of the base 1210.

The second position sensor 1240 may sense variation in magnetic forcedischarged from the second magnets 1130 a to 1130 d. The second positionsensor 1240 may include a first sensor 1240 a and a second sensor 1240b. The first sensor 1240 a and the second sensor 1240 b may take theform of a single chip, without being limited thereto. Alternatively, thefirst sensor 1240 a and the second sensor 1240 b may be implemented intoindividual chips.

The first sensor 1240 a and the second sensor 1240 b may be Hallsensors, without being limited thereto. Any other sensors may be used solong as they can sense variation in magnetic force.

For example, when the housing 1140 moves in the direction inclinedrelative to the optical axis (e.g. in the vertical direction), the firstsensor 1240 a and the second sensor 1240 b may output sensing signals(e.g. sensing voltages or sensing current) based on the result ofsensing variation in the magnetic flux of the second magnets 1130 a to1130 d.

For example, the second position sensor 1240 may take the form of asingle chip including two Hall sensors. One Hall sensor may include twoinput terminals (a positive (+) input terminal and a negative (−) inputterminal) and two output terminals (a positive (+) output terminal and anegative (−) output terminal).

Because two Hall sensors are provided at one chip and the negative (−)input terminals of the two respective Hall sensors are connected incommon, in the embodiment, the size of the Hall sensors and the numberof Hall sensor terminals may be reduced, which may realize reduced sizeand low cost.

The first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b may be electricallyconnected to the second circuit board 1250 via, for example, soldering.

The second circuit board 1250 may be electrically connected to thesecond coils 1230 a to 1230 d, the second position sensor 1240, and theelastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d.

The second circuit board 1250 may have through-holes 1251 for thecoupling of coupling bosses 1212 a of the base 1210. The second circuitboard 1250 may have pads 1252 a to 1252 d connected to the other ends ofthe elastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d.

The second coils 1230 a to 1230 d are disposed on the upper surface ofthe second circuit board 1250 so as to correspond to or be opposite tothe second magnets 1130 a to 1130 d.

The description related to the second circuit board 250 and the secondcoil 230 of FIG. 2 may be equally applied to the second circuit board1250 and the second coils 1230 a to 1230 d of the present exemplaryembodiment.

The elastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d electrically connect thefirst circuit board 1170 and the second circuit board 1250 to eachother.

The elastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d may be point symmetrical toone another in the second and third directions, which are perpendicularto the first direction, on the basis of the center axis of the housing1140.

The number of elastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d may be equal toor greater than the number of terminals for the first circuit board.

For example, in the case where the first position sensor 1190 is formedby integrating a Hall sensor and a driver with each other, the number ofelastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d may be four. In addition, inthe case where the first position sensor 1190 is a Hall sensor alone,the number of elastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d may be six ormore.

The elastic support members 1220 a to 1220 d may serve as a passage formovement of electrical signals between the second circuit board 1250 andthe first circuit board 1170, and may elastically support the housing1140 relative to the base 1210.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are views illustrating the arrangement of the secondposition sensor 1240 of FIG. 18 according to a first embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28 , the second position sensor 1240 may belocated between the neighboring two second magnets (e.g. 1130 a and 1130d), and may include the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 bspaced apart from each other.

The first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b may be located betweenthe neighboring ends of neighboring two second magnets (e.g. 1130 a and1130 d).

The first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b may be disposed to belocated or positioned between a first reference line 1921 and a secondreference line 1922.

The first reference line 1921 may be a straight line at which a centeraxis 1911 of the housing 1140 meets one end (e.g., the corner of anupper surface) of any one 1130 a among the neighboring two secondmagnets 1130 a and 1130 d. The second reference line 1922 may be astraight line at which the center axis 1911 of the housing 1140 meetsone end (e.g., the corner of an upper surface) of the other one 1130 damong the neighboring two second magnets 1130 a and 1130 d.

A first distance D1 between the second magnet 1130 a and the firstsensor 1240 a may be equal to a second distance D2 between the secondmagnet 1130 d and the second sensor 1240 b.

The first sensor 1240 a may be located closer to the second magnet 1130a than the second magnet 1130 d, and the second sensor 1240 b may belocated closer to the second magnet 1130 d than the second magnet 1130a.

The first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b may be left-and-rightsymmetrical on the basis of the virtual reference line 1910. Forexample, the virtual reference line 1910 may be a line that passesthrough the center axis (1911, see FIG. 26 ) of the housing 1140 or thecenter axis of the base 1210, and around which the two neighboringsecond magnets 1130 a and 1130 d or 1130 c and 1130 b are left-and-rightsymmetrical with each other.

For example, a distance between the virtual reference line 1910 and thefirst sensor 1240 a may be equal to a distance between the virtualreference line 1910 and the second sensor 1240 b.

The first distance d1 may be less than or equal to the second distanced2 (d1≤d2).

The first distance d1 may be a distance from the center axis 1911 of thehousing 1140 or the center axis of the base 1210 to one end of thesecond magnet 1130 a or 1130 d. For example, the first distance d1 maybe a distance from the center axis (1911, see FIG. 26 ) of the housing1140 or the center axis of the base 1210 to one end of the second magnet1130 a or 1130 d (e.g. the corner of the upper surface).

The second distance d2 may be a distance from the center axis 1911 ofthe housing 1140 or the center axis of the base 1210 to the secondposition sensor 1240. For example, the second distance d2 may be adistance from the center axis 1911 of the housing 1140 or the centeraxis of the base 1210 to the first sensor 1240 a or the second sensor1240 b.

When the housing 1140 moves in the inclined direction (e.g. a verticalplane (the XY plane) relative to the optical axis (e.g. the Z-axis),variation in the position of the housing 1140 may be sensed by theoutput of the first sensor 1240 a and the output of the second sensor1240 b.

Since the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 are the same andthe first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b are disposed so as to beleft-and-right symmetrical on the basis of the virtual reference line1910, in the embodiment, variation in the position of the housing 1140may be accurately sensed without displacement compensation by analgorithm based on the outputs of the first and second sensors 1240 aand 1240 b.

In the case where the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 arenot the same and have a great difference, additional data processing fordisplacement compensation is required, which may deteriorate the dataprocessing speed of the camera module.

In addition, since the second position sensor 1240 is located betweenthe neighboring two second coils 1230 a and 1230 d and do not overlapthe second coils 1230 a and 1230 d in the optical axis direction or inthe direction parallel to the optical axis, there is no magneticinterference in a high frequency range, which may inhibit an errorcaused by magnetic interference.

That is, the second position sensor 1240 may be located so as not tooverlap the second coils 1230 a to 1230 d in the direction parallel to aline which connects the second position sensor 1240 to the center axis1911 of the housing 1140 or the center axis of the base 1210.

Referring to FIG. 26 , when the housing 1140 is not moved and the centeraxis 1911 of the housing 1140 is located at the original point of the XYplane, output values of the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 bmay have a reference value (e.g. zero).

When the housing 1140 is moved in the X−Y+ direction by the samemovement amount, the output values of the first and second sensors 1240a and 1240 b may be the same, or may have a given differencetherebetween. Here, when the movement amount is the same, this may meanthat the movement amount in the X-axis and the movement amount in theY-axis are the same.

For example, when the housing 1140 is moved in the diagonal direction(e.g. in the X−Y+ direction), the output values of the first and secondsensors 1240 a and 1240 b may be smaller than the reference value (e.g.zero).

When the housing 1140 is moved in the X+Y− direction by the samemovement amount, the output values of the first and second sensors 1240a and 1240 b may be the same, or may have a given differencetherebetween. For example, when the housing 1140 is moved in thediagonal direction (e.g. in the X+Y− direction), the output values ofthe first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b may be larger than thereference value (e.g. zero).

When the housing 1140 is moved in the X−Y− direction, the output valueof the second sensor 1240 b may be smaller than the output value of thefirst sensor 1240 a.

In addition, when the housing 1140 is moved in the X+Y+ direction, theoutput value of the first sensor 1240 a may be smaller than the outputvalue of the second sensor 1240 b.

The first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b are disposed so as to bealigned with the X+Y− axis in FIG. 26 , without being limited thereto.In another embodiment, the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 bmay be disposed so as to be aligned with the X−Y+ axis, the X−Y− axis,or the X+Y+ axis.

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating the arrangement of the second positionsensor 1240 of FIG. 18 according to a second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 29 , the first distance d1 may be greater than thesecond distance d2 (d1>d2). The first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240b may be left-and-right symmetrical on the basis of the virtualreference line 1910, without being limited thereto. The descriptionrelated to FIG. 26 may be equally applied to the embodiment in FIG. 29 .

FIG. 30 is a view illustrating the arrangement of the second positionsensor 1240 of FIG. 18 according to a third embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 30 , a first distance D1 between the second magnet1130 a and the first sensor 1240 a may differ from a second distance D2between the second magnet 1130 d and the second sensor 1240 b.

In addition, the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b may beleft-and-right asymmetrical on the basis of the virtual reference line1910.

For example, the first distance D1 may be greater than the seconddistance D2.

A ratio D1:D2 of the first distance D1 to the second distance D2 may begreater than 1 and equal to or less than 2.5. Alternatively, a ratioD2:D1 of the second distance D2 to the first distance D1 may be greaterthan 1 and equal to or less than 2.5.

In the case where the ratio (D1/D2 or D2/D1) of the first distance D1 tothe second distance D2 exceeds 2.5, a displacement compensation amountincreases, and therefore displacement compensation may not be easy.

In addition, the second position sensor 1240 may be located such that adifference between the output values of the first and second sensors1240 a and 1240 b does not exceed a first reference value (e.g. 5 [mV])in the state in which the housing 1140 is stationary.

Here, the state in which the housing 1140 is stationary may mean a statein which the housing 1140 is not moved because no drive current isapplied to the second coils 1230 a to 1230 d.

When drive power (e.g. an operation voltage or operation current) isapplied to the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b in the statein which the housing 1140 is stationary, output values may be acquiredfrom the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b.

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28 , theoutput values of the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b may bethe same in the state in which the housing 1140 is stationary.

In addition, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 30 , since the firstdistance D1 and the second distance D2 differ from each other, theoutput values of the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b maydiffer from each other in the state in which the housing 1140 isstationary.

For example, a difference between the output values of the first andsecond sensors 1240 a and 1240 b may be, for example, 5 [mV] or less.

Here, the first reference value may be a difference between the outputvalues of the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b, which iscalculated in response to the ratio (D1/D2 or D2/D1) of the firstdistance D1 to the second distance D2.

For example, when the ratio of the first distance D1 to the seconddistance D2 has the highest value, a difference between the outputvalues of the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b may become thefirst reference value.

Based on the ratio of the first distance D1 to the second distance D2 ora difference between the output values of the first and second sensors1240 a and 1240 b in the state in which the housing 1140 is stationary,the output values of the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b maybe compensated depending on the result of sensing the positiondisplacement of the housing 1140. The compensation of the output valuesof the first and second sensors 1240 a and 1240 b may be performed by acontroller provided in the camera module.

FIG. 31 is a view illustrating the arrangement of second magnets 1130 a′to 1130 d′, and the second position sensor 1240 of a lens movingapparatus according to another embodiment.

Each of the second magnets 1130 a′ to 1130 d′ may be located in thevicinity of a corresponding one of corners of the base 1210, and thesecond position sensor 1240 may be located between the neighboring twosecond magnets 1130 a′ and 1130 d′ or be aligned with a position betweenthe neighboring two second magnets 1130 a′ and 1130 d′.

In FIG. 31 , second coils may be disposed so as to correspond to thesecond magnets 1130 a′ to 1130 d′. All of the relationships between thesecond magnets 1130 a to 1130 d, the virtual reference line 1910, thefirst and second distances D1 and D2, the first and second distances d1and d2, the virtual reference line 1910, and the second position sensor1240 as described in FIGS. 27 to 30 may be applied to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 30 .

As described above, in the embodiment, two Hall sensors are provided ina single chip, which may reduce the size of the Hall sensors and thenumber of Hall sensor terminals.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view illustrating a camera module 200 accordingto an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 32 , the camera module 200 may include a lens movingapparatus to move a lens, and the lens moving apparatus may include acover member 2010, a first movable unit 2020, a second movable unit2030, a base 2040, an elastic member 2050, a sensor 2060, a lens module2070, a support member 2080, a circuit board 2090, and a second coil2095.

Although not illustrated, the camera module 200 may further include, forexample, a printed circuit board, an Infrared Ray (IR) filter, and animage sensor.

The cover member 2010 may accommodate the first movable unit 2020, thesecond movable unit 2030, and the elastic member 2050, and may bemounted on the base 2040 so as to define the external appearance of thecamera module. More specifically, an inner side surface of the covermember 2010 may be mounted on the base 2040 so as to come into closecontact with a portion of the side surface or the entire side surface ofthe base 2040, and may function to protect internal constituent elementsfrom external shock and to inhibit invasion of external contaminants.

In addition, the cover member 2010 may be formed of a metal. In thiscase, the cover member 2010 may also function to protect the internalconstituent elements from external radio wave interference generated by,for example, a cellular phone.

The description related to the cover member 300 of FIG. 2 may be appliedto the cover member 2010 of the present exemplary embodiment.

The first movable unit 2020 is located at the lateral side of the lensmodule 2070 in order to move the lens module 2070. Meanwhile, the firstmovable unit 2020 may include a bobbin 2100 which fixes the lens module2070, and a first coil 2130 provided at an outer circumferential surfaceof the bobbin 2100.

The lens module 2070 may be coupled to an inner circumferential surfaceof the bobbin 2100. Meanwhile, in order to allow the bobbin 2100 to bemovably elastically supported relative to the upper side and the lowerside of a housing 2310, an upper spring 2051 may be fastened to an uppersurface of the bobbin 2100, and a lower spring 2052 may be fastened to alower surface of the bobbin 2100.

The description related to the bobbin 110 of FIG. 2 may be applied tothe bobbin 2100 of the present exemplary embodiment.

The first coil 2130 may be wound so as to surround the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin 2100, without being limitedthereto. In another embodiment, four individual first coils 2130 may bedisposed on outer side surfaces of the bobbin 2100, and an angle betweenthe neighboring first coils 2100 may be maintained at 90 degrees. Thefirst coil 2130 may create an electromagnetic field upon receiving powerapplied from a printed circuit board (not illustrated).

Thereby, the bobbin 2100 may be moved via interaction with a magnet 2300which will be described below, so as to perform the Auto-Focusing (AF)function. The description related to the first coil 120 of FIG. 12 maybe equally applied to the first coil 2130 of the present exemplaryembodiment.

The second movable unit 2030 may be located at the lateral side of thefirst movable unit 2020 so as to be opposite to the first movable unit2020. Meanwhile, the second movable unit 2030 may include a magnet 2300disposed to be opposite to the first coil 2130, and a housing 2310 towhich the magnet 2300 is fixed. The second movable unit 2030 maycorrespond to the fixed unit described in FIG. 1 .

The housing 2310 may have a shape corresponding to the inner sidesurface of the cover member 2010 which defines the external appearanceof the camera module.

In addition, the housing 2310 may be formed of an insulation materialand may be manufactured into an injection molded article inconsideration of productivity. Meanwhile, the housing 2310 is an elementthat moves for Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) driving, and thereforemay be spaced apart from the cover member 2010 by a prescribed distance.In addition, for example, the housing 2310 may have a hexahedral shapecorresponding to the shape of the cover member 2010, may have open upperand lower sides, and may accommodate the first movable unit 2020 toallow the first movable unit 2020 to be movable in the verticaldirection. The description related to the housing 140 of FIG. 1 may beapplied to the housing 2310 of the present exemplary embodiment.

The base 2040 may support the second movable unit 2030 and may becoupled to the cover member 2010. In addition, the base 2040 mayfunction as a sensor holder which protects an image sensor (notillustrated). Meanwhile, the base 2040 may have a bore (not illustrated)corresponding to the position of the lens module 2070, and an IR filter(not illustrated) may be mounted in the bore.

The elastic member 2050 may elastically support the bobbin 2100 so as toallow the bobbin 2100 to be moved relative to the housing 2310. Theelastic member 2050 may include an upper spring 2051 and a lower spring2052 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 32 . The upper spring 2051 maybe coupled to the upper side of the bobbin 2100 and the upper side ofthe housing 2310, and the lower spring 2052 may be coupled to the lowerside of the bobbin 2100 and the lower side of the housing 2310.

The sensor 2060 may perform Auto-focusing feedback by sensing themovement of the bobbin 2100. The sensor 2060 will be described below indetail with reference to FIG. 33 .

The lens module 2070 may be a lens barrel having one or more lenses,without being limited thereto, and may have any other structureincluding one or more lenses.

The support member 2080 may support the housing 2310 and the bobbin 2100relative to the base 2040. Meanwhile, the support member 2080 may becoupled to the upper spring 2051.

For example, the support member 2080 may be coupled to an FPCB 2090,which comes into contact with and is supported by the base 2040, and theupper spring 2051, and the housing 2030 and the bobbin 2100 may becoupled to the upper spring 2310. With this configuration, the supportmember 80 may support the housing 2310 and the bobbin 2100 relative tothe base 2040.

For example, the support member 2080 may be connected to four portions,which are spaced apart from the upper spring 2051 by a constantdistance, without being limited thereto. For example, the support member2080 may be a wire or a leaf spring.

However, the support member 2080 is not limited to the abovedescription, and may be implemented into any configuration so long as itcan support the upper spring 2051 relative to the base 2040. Forexample, the support member 2080 may remain fixed when the lens module2070 is moved in the vertical direction, and may be moved along with thelens module 2070 when the lens module 2070 is moved in the horizontaldirection.

The upper spring 2051 may be provided with a damping portion (notillustrated) in contact with a junction between the upper spring 2051and the support member 2080. The damping portion may alleviate shockthat may be generated in the support member 2080 when the lens module2070 is moved in the vertical direction.

Meanwhile, the support member 2080 may receive power from the FPCB 2090disposed on the base 2040 and supply the power to the upper spring 2051.The description related to the support member 220 of FIG. 2 may beapplied to the support member 2080 of the present exemplary embodiment.

The FPCB 2090 may supply power to the second coil 2095 and the supportmember 2080. The FPCB 2090 may include a terminal portion (notillustrated), one end or both ends of which are bent to protrudedownward from the base 2040.

The FPCB 2090 may receive external power from the terminal portion. Thedescription related to the circuit board 250 of FIG. 2 may be applied tothe FPCB 2090 of the exemplary embodiment.

The second coil 2095 may be provided on the FPCB 2090. The second coil2095 may receive power from the FPCB 2090. When power is applied to thesecond coil 2095, the housing 2310, the bobbin 2100, and the lens module2070 may be integrally moved in the horizontal direction via interactionwith the magnet 2300 coupled to the housing 2310. In this way, thecamera module 200 may perform the OIS function.

The second coil 2095 may be, for example, an FP coil that is a patternedcoil, without being limited thereto. The description related to thesecond coil 230 of FIG. 2 may be applied to the second coil 2095 of theexemplary embodiment.

Meanwhile, the camera module 200 may further include the sensor 2060,which senses movement of the bobbin 2100 so as to perform auto-focusingfeedback. In addition, the camera module 200 may further include asensor coupling member 2200 configured to fix the sensor 2060 to theouter circumferential surface of the bobbin 2100. Hereinafter, relatedconfigurations of the sensor 2060 and the sensor coupling member 2200will be described in detail.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating the bobbin 2100 and thesensor coupling member 2200 illustrated in FIG. 32 .

Referring to FIG. 33 , the camera module 200 may include a movablebobbin 2100 which has one or more lenses provided at an inner sidesurface 2101 thereof, and the sensor coupling member 2200 which islocated to surround at least a portion of an outer circumferentialsurface 2102 of the bobbin 2100, the sensor 2060 being coupled to thesensor coupling member 2200.

The sensor coupling member 2200 may include one or more angled corners2205. Since the angled corners 2205 of the sensor coupling member 2200may be firmly supported by the outer circumferential surface 2102 of thebobbin 2100, the sensor 2060 coupled to the sensor coupling member 2200is advantageously restricted so as not to be moved relative to thebobbin 2100. The sensor 2060 may be a Hall sensor that senses thestrength of a magnetic field of the magnet 2300, without being limitedthereto, and may be implemented into any configuration so long as it canperform auto-focusing feedback by sensing movement of the bobbin 2100.

The sensor 2060 may correspond to the first position sensor 170 of FIG.2 , and thus may also be called the first position sensor 170. Thedescription related to the first position sensor 170 of FIG. 2 may beapplied to the present exemplary embodiment.

At least a portion of the outer circumferential surface 2102 of thebobbin 2100 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the sensorcoupling member 2200. Corners 2105, which have a shape corresponding tothe corners 2205 of the sensor coupling member 2200, may be provided atthe outer circumferential surface 2102 of the bobbin 2100.

At this time, in order to distinguish the corners 2105 of the bobbin2100 from the corners 2205 of the sensor coupling member 2200, thecorners 2105 of the bobbin 2100 may be referred to as first corners2105, and the corners 2205 of the sensor coupling member 2200 may bereferred to as second corners 2205.

Meanwhile, an inner angle α1 of the first corner 2105 and an inner angleα2 of the second corner 2205 may correspond or equal to each other. Inthis case, as an inner circumferential surface of the second corner 2205comes into close contact with an outer circumferential surface of thefirst corner 2105 of the bobbin 2100, the second corner 2205 may befirmly secured to the first corner 2105.

The bobbin 2100 may include a seating groove 2110 and a sensor seatingportion 2120 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 33 .

The seating groove 2110 of the bobbin 2100 may have a shape andthickness corresponding to those of the sensor coupling member 2200. Thesensor coupling member 2200 may be firmly secured in the seating groove2110 of the bobbin 2100 via insertion.

The seating groove 2110 of the bobbin 2100 may be supported by cominginto contact with a lower surface 2221 and both side surfaces 2222 of asensor grip portion 2220 of the sensor coupling member 2200. The sensorseating groove 2120 of the bobbin 2100 may have a shape corresponding toa shape of the sensor grip portion 2220 of the sensor coupling member2200. In this case, the sensor seating groove 2120 of the bobbin 2100may firmly secure the sensor grip portion 2220, on which the sensor 2060is disposed, thereby advantageously inhibiting movement or shaking ofthe sensor 2060.

The seating groove 2110 corresponds to the support groove 114 of FIG. 4, and thus may also be called a “support groove”. The descriptionrelated to the support groove 114 of FIG. 4 may be applied to thepresent exemplary embodiment.

The sensor seating portion 2120 corresponds to the receiving recess 116of FIG. 4 , and may also be called a “receiving recess”. The descriptionrelated to the receiving recess 116 of FIG. 4 may be applied to thepresent exemplary embodiment.

The sensor coupling member 2200 may be located to surround at least aportion of the outer circumferential surface 2102 of the bobbin 2100. Inaddition, the sensor 2060 may be disposed or mounted on the sensorcoupling portion 2200.

The inner angle α2 of the second corner 2205 may be 90 degrees or moreand may be below 180 degrees. When the inner angle α2 of the secondcorner 2205 is below 90 degrees, the first corner 2105 of the bobbin2100, which has a shape corresponding to a shape of the second corner2205, has the inner angle α1 smaller than 90 degrees. In this case, theX-axis and Y-axis symmetry in the shape of the bobbin 2100 is broken,causing deterioration in focusing reliability.

The sensor coupling member 2200 may be implemented to include an FPCB.In addition, the sensor coupling member 2200 may be bent to have a shapecorresponding to the shape of at least a portion of the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin 2100.

For example, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 33 , the sensor couplingmember 2200 may include a main coupling portion 2210 and the sensor gripportion 2220.

The main coupling portion 2210 may surround at least a portion of theouter circumferential surface of the bobbin 2100 in the direction inwhich the main coupling portion 2210 is rotated about the optical axis,or in the horizontal direction. Thus, the main coupling portion 2210 mayhave a shape corresponding to the shape of at least a portion of theouter circumferential surface of the bobbin 2100.

In addition, the main coupling portion 2210 may be secured by beinginserted into the seating groove 2110 of the bobbin 2100. For example,the main coupling portion 2210 may be formed by bending a linear stripone or more times (e.g. 3 times).

At this time, the inner angle α2 of the second corner 2205 of the maincoupling portion 2210 may be 90 degrees or more. However, the shape ofthe main coupling portion 2210 is not limited thereto, and the maincoupling portion 2210 may be implemented into various shapes so long asit includes the second corner 2205 having a shape corresponding to thefirst corner 2105 of the bobbin 2100.

A conductor 2230 may be provided at an upper end of the main couplingportion 2210. For example, the conductor 2230 may protrude from theupper end of the main coupling portion 2210 in the direction parallel tothe optical axis. The conductor 2230 may be directly coupled to theupper spring 2051 via, for example, welding, and may receive power fromthe upper spring 2051. The power supplied to the conductor 2230 may besupplied to the FPCB included in the main coupling portion 2210, and thepower may be supplied to the sensor 2060 via the main coupling portion2210. The conductor 2230 may include a recessed portion for the couplingof the upper spring 2051, without being limited thereto.

The sensor grip portion 2220 may extend or expand downward from the maincoupling portion 2210, and the sensor 2060 may be located at the sensorgrip portion 2220.

For example, the sensor grip portion 2220 may protrude so as to extenddownward from a lower end of any one center position 2215 of a pluralityof edges 2411 or bent portions.

For example, when viewed from the top, the main coupling portion 2210may have the same shape as at least a portion of a polygon having theedges 2411 or bent portions. The sensor grip portion 2220 may be locatedto extend downward from any one center 2215 of the edges 2411 or bentportions. For example, the center of the sensor grip portion 2220 may bealigned with any one center 2215 of the edges 2411 or bent portions.

The sensor coupling portion 2200 corresponds to the body 182 of thesensor board 180 of FIG. 5B, and may also be called “the body of thesensor board”. The main coupling portion 2210 corresponds to the secondsegment 182 a of FIG. 5B, and may also be called “the second segment”.The sensor grip portion 2220 corresponds to the first segment 182 a ofFIG. 5B, and may also be called “the first segment”.

The conductor 2230 corresponds to the elastic member contact portions184-1 to 184-4 of FIG. 5B, and may also be called “the elastic membercontact portions”. The description related to the sensor board 180 ofFIG. 5B may be applied to the sensor coupling member 2200 of theexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view illustrating a sensor coupling member 2400according to another embodiment. The same reference numerals as those inFIG. 33 designate the same components, and a description related to thesame components will be provided in brief or omitted.

Referring to FIG. 34 , the description related to the sensor couplingmember 2200 may be analogously applied to the sensor coupling member2400, and the following description focuses on differences therebetween.

The sensor coupling member 2400 may include a main coupling portion 2410and a sensor grip portion 2420. The main coupling portion may be formedby bending a linear strip six times.

An inner angle β of a corner 2405 of the main coupling portion 2410 maybe 135 degrees.

The sensor grip portion 2420 extends downward from the main couplingportion 2410, and the sensor 2060 may be located at the sensor gripportion 2420. The sensor grip portion 2420 may protrude so as to extenddownward from a lower end of any one center position 2415 of a pluralityof edges 2411 or bent portions.

The edges 2411 or bent portions of the main coupling portion 2410 maydefine at least a portion of the regular octagon when viewed from thetop, and the sensor grip portion 2420 may be located at any one centerposition 2415 of the edges 2411 or bent portions.

The sensor coupling portion 2400 may include an FPCB, and may be formedby bending.

The outer circumferential surface of the bobbin of the camera moduleillustrated in FIG. 34 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of atleast a portion of the sensor coupling portion 2400.

Although FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate the case where the sensor couplingmember 2200 or 2400 is provided with one sensor 2060, the embodimentsare not limited thereto, and a plurality of sensors 2060 may be providedat the sensor coupling member 2200 or 2400. In addition, in order tosense displacement in the X-axis and the Y-axis of the bobbin 2100, twoor more sensors 2060 may be provided.

Meanwhile, the camera module according to the exemplary embodimentsincludes the sensor coupling member 2200 or 2400 having the secondcorners 2205 and 2405, which correspond to the first corners 2105 of thebobbin 2100. As compared to the case where the sensor coupling memberhas a circular shape or a rounded shape, in these embodiments, thesensor coupling member 2200 or 2400 is not unintentionally separatedfrom the bobbin 2100, which may improve assembly-ability. In addition,since the first corners 2105 of the bobbin 2100 and the second corners2205 or 2405 of the sensor coupling member 2200 or 2400 are firmlysecured to each other, the embodiments may advantageously restrict themovement of the sensor 2060 relative to the bobbin 2100.

As is apparent from the above description, the embodiments have theeffects of inhibiting malfunction or errors of a position sensor causedby the magnetic field of a first coil, of realizing miniaturization andlow cost, and of ensuring ease assembly and improved fixing ability of abobbin and a sensor board.

In the entire specification, even if all constituent elements of theembodiments are described as being coupled into one, or being operatedin a coupled state, the present disclosure is not necessary to belimited to these embodiments. That is, all of the constituent elementsmay be operated in a state in which one or more constituent elements areselectively coupled to one another so long as this falls within anobject range of the present disclosure. In addition, when an element isreferred to as “including”, “constituting”, or “having” another element,the element should not be understood as excluding other elements so longas there is no special conflicting description, and the element mayinclude at least one other element. Unless otherwise defined, all terms(including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich example embodiments belong. It will be further understood thatterms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

It is to be understood that the detailed description is intended todescribe technical ideas of the present disclosure invention by way ofexample and that various equivalents and modifications are possible bythose skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein have nointent to limit the technical spirit of the present disclosure, but aregiven for description, and the technical scope of the present disclosureis not limited by the embodiment. The scope of the present disclosureshould be construed by the following claims, and also should beconstrued to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A lens moving apparatus comprising: ahousing; a bobbin disposed in the housing; a first coil disposed on thebobbin; a magnet disposed to be overlapped with the first coil in afirst direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction; a positionsensor disposed on the bobbin; and a first elastic member coupled to thebobbin and the housing, wherein a top surface of the position sensor ishigher than a top surface of the magnet and lower than the first elasticmember.
 2. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theposition sensor is disposed on a lateral surface of a corner portion ofthe bobbin.
 3. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1,comprising a sensing magnet disposed to be overlapped with the positionsensor in a second direction perpendicular to the optical axisdirection.
 4. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 3, whereinthe second direction is a direction passing through two opposing cornersof the housing, and the center of the position sensor does not overlapthe magnet in the second direction.
 5. The lens moving apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein a center of the sensing magnet does notoverlap the magnet in the second direction.
 6. The lens moving apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the sensing magnet is higher than themagnet in the optical axis direction and separated from the magnet onthe housing.
 7. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe magnet comprises first to fourth magnet units disposed on fourlateral portions of the housing.
 8. The lens moving apparatus accordingto claim 1, comprising a circuit board on which the position sensor isdisposed.
 9. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein abottom surface of the position sensor is disposed lower than a topsurface of the magnet.
 10. The lens moving apparatus according to claim1, wherein the position sensor is spaced apart from the first coil inthe optical axis direction.
 11. The lens moving apparatus according toclaim 1, comprising: a base disposed under the housing; and a secondcoil disposed to be overlapped with the magnet in the optical axisdirection.
 12. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe position sensor is configured to detect a movement of the bobbin inthe optical axis direction.
 13. The lens moving apparatus according toclaim 1, comprising: a circuit board disposed under the housing; asecond coil disposed on the circuit board and configured to move thehousing by an interaction with the magnet; and a wire coupled to thefirst elastic member and electrically connected to the circuit board.14. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firstcoil is disposed to surround an outer surface of the bobbin.
 15. A lensmoving apparatus comprising: a housing; a bobbin disposed in thehousing; a first coil disposed on the bobbin; a magnet disposed to beoverlapped with the first coil in a first direction perpendicular to anoptical axis direction; a position sensor disposed on the bobbin; asensing magnet disposed to be overlapped with the position sensor in asecond direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction; and afirst elastic member coupled to the bobbin and the housing, wherein thebobbin comprises: a first surface perpendicular to the first direction;a second surface parallel to the first direction; and a third surfaceperpendicular to the second direction, wherein the position sensor isdisposed on the third surface of the bobbin and spaced apart from thefirst coil, and wherein a top surface of the position sensor is higherthan a top surface of the magnet and lower than the first elasticmember.
 16. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 15, wherein thefirst coil is disposed on the first surface of the bobbin.
 17. The lensmoving apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the third surface of thebobbin is disposed higher than the first surface of the bobbin, andwherein a distance between the third surface of the bobbin and anoptical axis is smaller than a distance between the first surface of thebobbin and the optical axis.
 18. The lens moving apparatus according toclaim 15, comprising: a circuit board disposed under the housing; asecond coil disposed on the circuit board and configured to move thehousing by an interaction with the magnet; and a wire coupled to thefirst elastic member and electrically connected to the circuit board.19. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the magnetcomprises a first magnet unit and a second magnet unit, wherein thesensing magnet is disposed between a first reference line and a secondreference line, when viewed from a top, and wherein the first referenceline is a straight line wherein an optical axis and one end of the firstmagnet unit meet, and the second reference line is a straight linewherein the optical axis and one end of the second magnet unit meet. 20.A lens moving apparatus comprising: a base; a housing disposed on thebase; a bobbin disposed in the housing; a first coil disposed on anouter surface of the bobbin; a magnet disposed to be overlapped with thefirst coil in a first direction perpendicular to an optical axisdirection; a position sensor disposed on the bobbin; a sensing magnetdisposed to be overlapped with the position sensor in a second directionperpendicular to the optical axis direction; an elastic member coupledto the bobbin and the housing; and a second coil disposed between thebase and the housing, wherein the elastic member comprises: a firstelastic member connected with an upper portion of the bobbin and anupper portion of the housing; and a second elastic member connected witha lower portion of the bobbin and a lower portion of the housing,wherein the position sensor is disposed on a first area of the outersurface of the bobbin different from that of the outer surface of thebobbin in which the coil is disposed, wherein the second coil isoverlapped with the magnet in the optical axis direction, wherein theposition sensor is disposed between the first elastic member and thesecond elastic member, wherein a top surface of the position sensor ishigher than a top surface of the magnet, and wherein a bottom surface ofthe position sensor is lower than the top surface of the magnet.